South Africa: Perfume Market 2025

Perfume Market Size in South Africa

The South African perfume market shrank significantly to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -17.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a noticeable slump. Perfume consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Perfume Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of perfumes and toilet waters increased by 18% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after four years of decline. In general, total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +45.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 53%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, perfume exports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +24.4% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X tons), Botswana (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) were the main destinations of perfume exports from South Africa, with a combined 60% share of total exports. Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Lesotho, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Australia and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +40.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for perfume exported from South Africa were Namibia ($X), Botswana ($X) and Swaziland ($X), with a combined 76% share of total exports. The Netherlands, Lesotho, Zambia, Australia, Angola, the United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of the Congo lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

Among the main countries of destination, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +24.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average perfume export price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -17.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Lesotho (+6.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Perfume Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, the amount of perfumes and toilet waters imported into South Africa declined to X tons, reducing by -8.4% compared with 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, perfume imports expanded slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 51% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Poland (X tons), France (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main suppliers of perfume imports to South Africa, together accounting for 67% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +24.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X) constituted the largest supplier of perfumes and toilet waters to South Africa, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from France stood at +1.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+10.9% per year) and Poland (+0.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average perfume import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 14% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a slight decline. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Philippines (+11.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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