Dubai perfumes and cosmetics trade valued at AED20.51 billion in 2015 – Dubai Customs

Dubai, UAE:  Dubai’s trade for perfumes and cosmetics was valued at AED20.51 billion in 2015, growing by 25 per cent in the 2011-2015 period, figures released by Dubai Customs have revealed today.

According to Dubai customs, the Emirate imported AED12.23 billion worth of cosmetics and perfumes last year, while the value of exports and re-exports into neighbouring Middle East countries was AED2.05 billion and AED6.23 billion respectively.

France was Dubai’s top trading partner, with the European powerhouse exporting AED3.02 billion worth of fragrances and cosmetics to Dubai in 2015, a 15 per cent share of total imports into the emirate for the year.

The USA followed, with AED1.84 billion worth of exports (nine per cent share), while Saudi Arabia (AED1.11 billion, nine per cent share), UK (AED1.1 billion, five per cent share), and Italy (AED1.05 billion, five per cent) comprise Dubai’s top country trading partners in 2015.

The figures were announced to an audience of retailers, distributors, manufacturers, and salon owners at the Business in Beauty Summit, taking place on the side-lines of Beautyworld Middle East 2016, the region’s largest international trade show for beauty products, hair, fragrances, and wellbeing.

Perfumes was the largest product group of Dubai’s foreign trade for beauty and personal care, valuing AED5.9 billion – a 29 per cent share, followed by colour cosmetics and make-up (AED3.2 billion, 16 per cent share), deodorants and antiperspirants (AED1.2 billion, six per cent share), and skin care and moisturisers (AED1 billion, five per cent).

The updates were provided by Nasim Saeed Al Mehairi, Senior Manager for Statistics and Studies Section at Dubai Customs, and reinforce Dubai’s status as the epicentre of regional beauty and personal care trade.

With 1,530 exhibitors from 60 countries, 22 country pavilions, and a nine per cent increase in exhibition space over the previous year, Beautyworld Middle East 2016 is the largest in its 21-year history.  

Running until tomorrow (17^th May) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the three-day extravaganza focuses on the five product groups of Cosmetics & Skincare; Hair, Nails & Salon Supplies; Fragrance; Machinery, Packaging & Raw Materials; and Professional Equipment & Spa, as the biggest names in the business take their latest innovations across the region and beyond.