• Natural
  cosmetics are growing at an annual rate of 8-10% in the EU,
  increasing demand for natural ingredients like essential oils
  
• 50%
  of British consumers favour cosmetics made from natural ingredients,
  the highest figure in Europe
  
• In
  the past year, exports of essential oils from CARICOM to the EU have
  grown by 33%
  
• Caribbean
  companies in the cosmetics industry will participate in the 4th
  CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum from 26 to 28 September in Frankfurt
  

Madrid,
31 July 2019. - It is becoming
increasingly common to find natural cosmetic products in large retail
stores, perfume stores and supermarkets. In Europe, the cosmetics
market is valued at 77 billion euros,1
making it the largest market in the world and, within this, natural
cosmetic products account for approximately 5% of the market. The
sector is currently growing at an annual rate of 8-10%. The UK’s
certified natural and organic cosmetics market is at an all-time high
as sustainable shoppers continue to drive the market for green
beauty. Around 50% of British consumers favour cosmetics made from
natural ingredients - the highest figure in Europe2.
In 2018, sales of certified organic and natural beauty products grew
for an eighth consecutive year to reach £86.5m, up 14% on the
previous year.

1
Cosmetics Europe - The Personal Care Association. “Socio-Economic
Contribution of the European Cosmetics Industry”. May 2018

2 Mintel. 2018. Global Beauty Trends 2018. Available online: http://www.mintel.com/beauty-trends/ (accessed on 12 November 2018)

The
European Union is not only the largest supplier of cosmetics in the
world but also the main source of demand for natural ingredients for
developing these products, particularly plant-based oils and fats.
Around 45% of EU imports of essential oils come from developing
countries. “In 2018,
Caribbean countries (CARICOM) exported essential oils valued at over
32 million euros to the EU,1
which represents 8% of all imports to the region”,
indicates Damie Sinanan, the competitiveness and export promotion
manager of the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean
Export). “We are seeing this
demand increase year by year, in large part due to greater concern
about sustainability and ethics on the part of European consumers. In
the past year, exports of essential oils from CARICOM to the EU have
grown by 33%”. The UK
imports €679K of essentials oils from CARICOM.

Consumers’
growing concern about the side effects of chemical products,
dissemination of information about the benefits of natural
ingredients and the rise in ethical consumption2
are some of the factors driving the growth of the natural cosmetics
segment within the industry. Four out of ten (41%)3
British females frequently check the label on the packaging about
ingredients of the cosmetics they use. The common concern
concentrates on potential risks of harmful chemicals to human health
and the possibility of skin irritation.

CASTOR
OIL AND COCONUT OIL, KEY INGREDIENTS IN NATURAL COSMETICS

The
Caribbean is not only famous for its heavenly beaches and rum but
also for the natural ingredients produced in this region.
Specifically, Jamaican black castor oil and coconut oil are two of
its star ingredients. The first is used in moisturizing or hydrating
products for dry skin, as well as to strengthen hair and prevent
hair, eyebrow and eyelash loss. Coconut oil, for its part, is used in
moisturizers for the body, lips and scalp, as exfoliants, and even
for preventing the appearance of premature wrinkles and spots, thanks
to its antibiotic and anti-microbial properties that protect against
UV rays and free radicals.

“Apart
from the health benefits of these oils and other natural ingredients
many Caribbean companies sell in the EU, they also work hard to make
products as sustainable as possible, from production to packaging,
with the aim of not generating waste or harming the environment”,
comments Sinanan. Consumers are demanding that companies use less
plastic, more recyclable materials and eco-friendly products and
packaging. “In fact, some of
the region’s best-selling products in Europe are those that are
fully biodegradable, like the soaps from bahamaSpa™, and those made
without cruelty to animals and that support eco-trade of local
farmers in the Caribbean, like those of True Shade Cosmetics Limited
and Sugar Town Organics”.

This
year, eighteen Caribbean companies in the cosmetics and nutraceutical
industry will participate in the 4th
CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum, which
is being held from 26 to 28 September in Frankfurt. This event,
organized by Caribbean Export together with the European Union and
the German Development Agency (Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH), aims to promote trade relations
between the countries of the Caribbean and Europe, as well as to
raise the visibility of the natural products and ingredients that
originate in the Caribbean region.

Video
- Bringing the Authentic Caribbean To Europe

“I
have seen a shift over the last year alone where more and more
consumers are requesting oil-based products for their skin, such as
those offered in Europe. We started out from a place of offering
plant-based cosmetics and receive many enquiries from concerned
persons who are curious about our use of natural produce that are
found within the Caribbean and whether our ingredients are indeed
100% natural. We are happy to respond and invite them into our garden
space where they can see for themselves. We also share photos and
behind the scenes shots on our social media pages,”
expressed Anastasha Elliott owner from Sugar Town Organics, one of
the participant companies at the event.

BEYOND
NATURAL COSMETICS

The
healthy lifestyle of Europeans along with the region’s efforts to
promote sustainability is driving the demand for natural ingredients
beyond the cosmetics industry. In Europe, this demand is concentrated
in the EU5 countries, which include Germany, France, Italy, Spain and
the United Kingdom, and it is being seen in the food sector
especially.

Seven
in ten consumers would be willing to give up their favourite products
in favour of others that do not contain artificial ingredients;4
and six in ten consumers value the fact that the food they buy or
consume is produced sustainably, particularly when they reduce the
use of pesticides and are affordable.

“If
you take the Dominican Republic for example, the country has
dedicated more than 150 thousand hectares to organic farming, and
what is produced on that acreage generates over 447 million euros,
according to the FAO. In fact, approximately 95% of Dominican organic
banana exports are shipped to the European Union, making up nearly
50% of its supply5”,
states Sinanan. “Interest in
ecological and sustainable production and fair trade are helping to
make trade relations with Europe more fruitful.”

Link
to “Bringing the Authentic Caribbean To Europe” video here

For
more information about the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum, visit:
http://www.carib-export.com/businessforum/

For
more information about Caribbean Export, visit: www.carib-export.com

About
the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export)

The
Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is a regional
organization of the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) dedicated to the
development of exports and promotion of trade and investment. It is
currently implementing the Regional Private Sector Development
Programme (RPSDP) financed by the European Union in the framework of
the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). Caribbean Export’s
mission is to enhance the competitiveness of Caribbean countries
through the delivery of quality services for export development and
trade and investment promotion through the implementation of
strategic programs and partnerships.

1
Trade Map. Value data for TARIC code 3301

2
Future Market Insights.
“Natural Cosmetics Market: Products Comprising Nutritional
Ingredients Gaining Traction in China: Global Industry Analysis 2013
- 2017 and Opportunity Assessment 2018 – 2027”. February 2019.
Available at:
https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/natural-cosmetics-market

3
Mintel. 2018. Global Beauty Trends 2018. Available online:
http://www.mintel.com/beauty-trends/ (accessed on 12 November 2018)

4
International Food Information Council Foundation. “2018 Food &
Health Survey”. Available at:
https://foodinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018-FHS-Report-FINAL.pdf

5
FAO. “Organic banana production in the Dominican Republic”.
Available at:
http://www.fao.org/world-banana-forum/projects/good-practices/organic-production-dominican-republic/en/#.XTrBi5MzY6U