▲ Shoppers browse cosmetics at a local drug store in Seoul in this Nov. 24, 2025, in this Yonhap file photo. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's cosmetics exports reached a record high in the first half of the year, driven by the continued global popularity of K-beauty products, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said Friday.

Cosmetics exports totaled US$7 billion in the January-June period, up 27.3 percent from a year earlier, marking the highest first-half figure on record, according to preliminary data released by the ministry.

First-half exports had remained in the US$4 billion range in 2022, 2023 and 2024 before rising to US$5.5 billion last year and reaching the US$7 billion milestone this year.

Second-quarter exports amounted to US$3.9 billion, up 25.8 percent from US$3.1 billion in the first quarter.

By destination, the United States was the largest export market, accounting for US$1.45 billion, or 20.7 percent of total cosmetics exports.

Exports to the United States increased by US$430 million from the same period last year.

China ranked second with exports of US$1.01 billion, representing 14.4 percent of the total, followed by Japan at US$580 million, or 8.3 percent.

By product category, basic skincare products accounted for the largest share of exports at US$5.48 billion, followed by color cosmetics at US$720 million and personal cleansing products at US$340 million.

"We will continue making every effort to support exporters so that K-beauty can further strengthen its standing in the global market," a ministry official said.

jwc@yna.co.kr

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