Increase theexport on digital channels, which reaches 5,4 billion euros in direct sales. Results and prospects were discussed during the Focus Netcomm entitled "Digital export, marketplace and the development of Italian companies”, conference organized by Netcomm Consortium, which includes 500 e-commerce and digital retail companies. In B2C, the sectors in which Italian digital export is strongest are clothing e fashion, furnishings, cosmetics e food. For example, clothing exports online with direct sales of goods for 3,1 billion compared to an import of 500 million. In the B2B sector, Italian companies are strong in components and intermediate products for manufacturing. If Europe represents the most solid market, with Brexit the English market has instead become more complex due to duties and logistics. The USA continues to represent an excellent opportunity since Made in Italy enjoys a high reputation. The same goes for China.
Cosmetics restart and exceed pre-Covid levels
With a production value of 13,1 billion, a clear recovery trend is expected for the sector cosmetics considering that, according to the year-end forecasts of Cosmetica Italia, this turnover corresponds to a growth of 10,7% compared to 2021 and 8,3% compared to 2019, pre-Covid. An encouraging sign that also bodes well for 2023 with a further increase of 7,1% despite the inflationary and geopolitical uncertainties and the energy crisis. In this scenario, the most significant figure relates to the export of Made in Italy beauty products which achieved a growth of 15,2% compared to the previous year for a value of 5,6 billion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels as demonstrated by the increase of 12,1% compared to 2019 and with an estimate of further rebound of 9,5% in 2023.
The USA undermines France and becomes the first market
The first country for exports of Italian cosmetics are the Use, thanks to the weakening of the euro against the dollar: with a value of 330 million, an increase of 44,1% (in the first half of 2022), they undermine the first position France, historic importer worth 297 million (+13,6%). In third place the Germany (231 million) which, however, dropped by 0,6%, followed by Spain (162 million, +26,2%), Netherlands (143 million, +26,6%), UK (141 million, +16,3%), Poland (115 million, +32,6%). It is worth noting the recovery of the China which rises by 85,9% with 80 million and +54,6% of the UAE, with 113 million. In sharp decline (-30,4%), however, Hong Kong, penalized by protracted pandemic effects.
The export of cosmetics strengthens in non-European areas
Non-European destinations are the most dynamic markets as demonstrated by the value of cosmetics trade flows outside the European borders which has acquired almost ten percentage points over the course of twenty years (they accounted for 30% of total Italian cosmetic exports in the world in 2001, rising to over 2022% in the first six months of 39). Among the most interesting outlets for the Italian beauty industry are the ASEAN markets and India. The latter is the sixth market for cosmetics consumption worldwide with a value of almost 12 billion and in the last ten years the growth in purchases has more than doubled.
As for the South East Asia (the first edition of Cosmoprof Cbe Asean was held in Bangkok in September) Italian cosmetic exports to this area exceed 76 million. A value that recorded a recovery of almost two percentage points in 2021, after the marked contraction in 2020 following the pandemic. Within this market, which includes Burma, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, In Stock, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand e Vietnam , Singapore it stands as the main destination with over 54 million (over +4% compared to 2020); they follow Vietnam (8 million) e Malaysia (4,5 million). Although marginal in terms of weight in value (both with 3,7 million), they are interesting in terms of growth dynamics Indonesia e Thailand: during 2021, the demand for cosmetics in these countries grew by 16,6% and 18,6% respectively compared to the previous year.
In particular, as far as Thailand is concerned, it must be considered that it is the most important beauty production pole in South East Asia and can be considered access to the Asean market. Among the most imported Italian products, the alcoholic perfumery is in the lead with a concentration of almost 60%, followed by hair products (equal to 19% for a value of 14,6 million) and by cosmetics for face and body care (15%, equal to 11,4 million).
