Market evolution: Cosmetic powders (CN 330491) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyses the evolution of the European Union's external trade in cosmetic powders (CN 330491) between 2015 and 2025. Over this decade, the EU solidified its position as a major net exporter, with its trade surplus growing dramatically. This expansion was driven by robust export growth, particularly to the United States and China, a significant rise in unit values, and a notable geographic realignment in trading partnerships away from the United Kingdom following Brexit.

1. The EU's Expanding Trade Surplus and Premium Market Position

The period under review was characterized by strong overall growth in both the value and volume of EU trade, with exports outpacing imports and leading to a substantial increase in the trade surplus.

• Rapid value growth outstripping volume: EU exports grew by 122.5% in value (from €294 million to €655 million) but only 51.3% in quantity (from 8,209 to 12,424 tonnes). This indicates that a significant portion of the growth came from higher-value products and/or rising unit prices. Similarly, import values rose by 59.0% while volumes increased by only 19.9%. (General Overview: Trade)

• A widening trade surplus: The EU's trade balance improved from a surplus of €160 million in 2015 to €442 million in 2025, a 175.5% increase. This underscores the strong competitive position of the EU cosmetics industry in global markets for powders. (General Overview: Trade)

• Rising unit values: EU export prices (EUR per tonne) increased by 47.0% over the period, from about €35,836 to €52,694. Import prices also rose, but by a smaller 32.6% (from €19,403 to €25,726 per tonne). This price premium on exports suggests the EU is specializing in higher-quality or more branded cosmetic powder products. (General Overview: Trade)

2. Geographic Reorientation of Trade Flows

Major shifts occurred in the EU's trade partners, with a clear pivot towards North America and Asia and a corresponding decline in the relative importance of the United Kingdom.

• The rise of the United States as the dominant export market: Exports to the United States surged by 241.1%, growing from €51.5 million to €175.8 million. The US became by far the EU's largest export destination, accounting for a substantial share of the increase in the total export value. (General Overview: Top Partners by Value - Exports)

• China's dual role as a growing supplier and market: China was the top source of imports, with its shipments to the EU growing by 233.9% (to €81.6 million). Simultaneously, the EU dramatically increased its exports to China by 405.8% (to €63.7 million), making it the fourth-largest export market. (General Overview: Top Partners by Value)

• The impact of Brexit on UK trade: Trade with the United Kingdom declined significantly. UK imports into the EU fell by 65.5% (to €17.9 million), dropping it from the second to the third source. Conversely, EU exports to the UK fell by 20.0% (to €57.0 million), though the UK remained a major market. This reorientation reflects post-Brexit regulatory and trade barrier effects. (General Overview: Top Partners by Value)

• Diversification and volatility in other partners: Significant growth was seen in exports to Switzerland (283.1%) and the United Arab Emirates (135.5%). Trade with some partners was highly volatile; for example, exports to Algeria exhibited a very high coefficient of variation (0.66) and experienced a major price shock in 2023. (Volatility & Shocks: Volatility Bars)

3. Strengthening Production Capacity and Export Specialization

Underlying the trade performance is a strengthening of the EU's domestic production base and a clear trend towards greater specialization in exporting cosmetic powders.

• Significant growth in EU production value: According to PRODCOM data, the value of EU production for this product category grew by 73.5%, from approximately €346 million to €600 million between the first and last reported periods. This expansion in the production base supports the surge in export capacity. (Market Structure: Production Value)

• France and Italy as the core of EU specialization: In 2025, France and Italy were the most specialized EU exporters, with Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) scores of 0.55 and 0.50, respectively. They also accounted for over half of the EU's total exports by value, highlighting their central role in the industry. (Market Structure: Specialisation)

• A dramatic rise in export propensity: The EU's export propensity (the share of production exported) increased from 31.2% in 2015 to 98.3% in 2025. This near-complete export orientation indicates that EU production is now almost entirely geared towards external markets, underpinning the trade surplus. (Autonomy & Vulnerability: Export Propensity)

Conclusion

Between 2015 and 2025, the EU cosmetic powders market (CN 330491) underwent a transformative expansion. The bloc evolved into a powerhouse net exporter, with its trade surplus growing by 175.5%. This was fueled by surging demand from the United States, aggressive market penetration into China, and a strong domestic production base that saw its value increase by 73.5%. The period was marked by a strategic shift in trade flows, most notably the relative decline in UK trade post-Brexit and the increased importance of North American and Asian partners. The EU's industry, led by France and Italy, demonstrated a clear move up the value ladder and towards near-total export orientation, solidifying its global competitive advantage in this cosmetic category.