By Anita NKRUMAH & Rachel DAMPSON
Ghana’s cosmetics market is vibrant and rapidly expanding. Like its neighboring and international markets, Ghana’s cosmetics sector is experiencing increasing demand, presenting excellent opportunities for various market players. In recent years, the sector has seen significant investment from both local and international investors seeking to tap into this market growth.
Currently, there is a rising demand for both local and international cosmetics brands. Local brands are gaining prominence by leveraging the country’s abundant supply of cosmetic raw materials such as shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and other traditional African ingredients to create unique products that cater to the beauty needs of the Ghanaian population and beyond.
However, international brands still hold the largest market share. New and existing players are continually entering the market and expanding their product lines to meet the evolving consumer demand. In this article, we delve deep into Ghana’s cosmetics import market, examining import trends, the supply chain, a SWOT analysis, as well as the regulatory requirements.
Historical Import Trends and Cosmetic Market Segmentation
Import data for cosmetic products in Ghana depicts a dynamic market influenced by various economic and market factors. The market’s adaptability is evident with new brands being introduced each year in response to the customers’ exploratory nature as they search for cosmetic products that cater to their specific needs. Analyzing historical import data from the last decade shows a market that is characterized by changing trends.
These trends can be attributed to both domestic and international factors, including unstable currency conditions, growing local competition; especially, in the skin and hair care sectors, evolving consumer preferences, and shifts in global beauty trends. Over the past 10 years, the cosmetic import market has averaged an estimated import volume of 33 million kg. In 2020, the import market experienced a substantial increase, with volumes exceeding 40 million kg; the highest recorded in the past ten years.
This surge was primarily due to a substantial import of personal care products, specifically deodorants, by a major player in the market. Conversely, 2022 recorded a significant decline in imports of about 20% compared to volumes in 2021. This decrease can largely be attributed to high inflation rates, which led to increased prices for Fast Moving Consumer Goods, thereby reducing demand for both domestically produced and imported goods, including cosmetics. The chart below illustrates the import volumes for cosmetic products in the Ghanaian market over the past decade.
The import market significantly supplements domestic production by providing a wide variety of cosmetic products from international brands to cater to different customer preferences. The imported cosmetic market can be broadly classified into five main segments. The table below represents these segments and their respective shares of the import market.
The skincare import market is highly competitive, with several players importing various brands of skincare products into the country each year. As with domestic production, skincare products dominate the cosmetic import market, holding the largest share at 38% highlighting a substantial focus on skin health and beauty among consumers. In 2022, over 11 million kg of skincare products were imported, mainly from Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Nigeria.
These West African countries are primary sources of cosmetic imports due to their relatively large production capacity, favorable economic terms, and lower tax rates compared to imports from Western countries. For the skincare segments, Body lotions and creams lead the skincare import market.
Key players in the skincare import market include Uniparco Limited, Paradise Cosmetics, DIMD Ghana, Novelle Perfumiere Gandour Ghana, and Magic Dodo Ghana. These companies distribute popular brands such as Pure White, Light Up, Day by Day, Cocoderm, Bebe and Maman, Clinic Clear, Cocoderm, and Clair Liss, collectively accounting for over 40% of the total skincare import market in 2022.
Haircare products constitute a significant portion of cosmetic imports, recording the second largest cosmetic import segment with over 6 million kg imported in 2022. Major players in the haircare import market include Nouvelle Limited, Weave Ghana, Dennick Trading Enterprise, and others, who import popular haircare brands including; Mega Growth, Laurel Collection, ABC, ORS, etc. each year. Most haircare products are sourced mainly from Côte d’Ivoire, China, and the USA, with Côte d’Ivoire being a primary source for products like hair food, dye, and relaxers.
Personal care products, specifically deodorants, antiperspirants, shave cream, and bath cream, accounted for 20% of total cosmetic import volumes in 2022. This significant proportion reflects the essential nature of these products in daily hygiene and personal care routines. The United Kingdom, France, and the United Arab Emirates are the top three sources for these imports.
There are over a hundred players in this segment, importing various brands to meet the dynamic consumer demand. Notable players include Daddy Ash, Beiersdorf Ghana Limited, Abayie Ventures, Angfo Enterprise, and Adore Beauty, who collectively control about 30% of the import market for personal care products.
Fragrances account for 17% of the import market share, primarily dominated by perfumes imported from Côte d’Ivoire, China, and the United Arab Emirates while in the make-up segment, powders are the most imported products, specifically talcum and face powders, with significant proportion sourced from Côte d’Ivoire.
Supply Chain for Imported Cosmetic Products
Supply and distribution of cosmetic products in the Ghanaian market are clear-cut. The main participants within the supply chain are the exporters (the main sources of imported cosmetic products), importers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and end-users.
Cosmetic products are sourced from various global players, with Cote d’Ivoire, China, Nigeria, Togo, and Great Britain being the top countries of origin. The players in these countries are either manufacturers, logistics companies, or trading companies. In West African countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Togo, several trading or logistic companies are involved in the trade of cosmetics through imports and re-exports. Most of these companies import from other foreign brands or source domestically for reselling. This is made possible because of the favorable trade terms in those countries.
Currently, there are over 300 cosmetic importers in Ghana. These importers are predominantly subsidiary companies of parent manufacturers, such as Beiersdorf Ghana Limited, Dodo Cosmetics, Magic Dodo Ghana, etc. Other importers act as franchise dealers and sole distributors of specific international brands, while some are trading companies specializing in the importation of a variety of cosmetic products, such as Paradise Cosmetic, Daday Ash Limited, and Dennirk Trading Enterprise.
These importers usually have warehouses across the country where they stock and distribute to major wholesalers at large volumes. Beyond these major importers, there are also small importers, most of whom double as wholesalers. These small importers are usually located in central markets of big cities where they contact both wholesaling and retailing activities. They stock and resell their imports as well as products from other major importers and domestic manufacturers.
Retailers in the cosmetic market often purchase their cosmetic products directly from wholesalers and sell them in single units to final consumers. The retail market includes supermarkets, open markets, corner shops, pharmacies, beauty supply stores, and online shops. The supply chain ends with consumers who purchase products from retailers for personal use.
A SWOT Analysis of Ghana’s Cosmetic Import Market
The influx of several players in the market has created a highly competitive market for cosmetic imports. Most players have capitalized on their understanding of the dynamic cosmetic import market to gain a competitive advantage. A comprehensive insight into internal and external factors that might affect the market helps players employ best-fit strategies for their business. The chart below represents a SWOT Analysis of the Cosmetic Import market.
Regulatory Requirements for the Cosmetic Import Market
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), both operating under the Ministry of Health, oversee all activities within Ghana’s cosmetic market, including imports. The GSA is responsible for establishing, publishing, and promoting standards in Ghana, ensuring that products, services, and goods produced locally or for export are reliable, safe, and of good quality. The FDA regulates food, drugs, food supplements, herbal and homeopathic medicines, veterinary medicine, cosmetics, medical devices, and other substances, ensuring that all imported products meet quality and safety standards to protect human health.
In the cosmetic market, the GSA focuses solely on overseeing domestic production, while the FDA oversees both domestic production and imports. Specifically, the FDA is responsible for processing and granting market authorization for cosmetics intended for sale in the Ghanaian market or for export.
The FDA has three primary requirements for all importers within the Ghanaian market: Only corporate bodies duly registered by the Registrar General’s Department and licensed by the FDA are permitted to import products, all imported products must have at least 60% of their shelf life remaining upon arrival at the port. Products with a shelf life of less than 24 months must have at least 80% of their shelf life remaining upon arrival. Lastly, only registered products are permitted to be imported. For detailed step-by-step procedures on registering imported cosmetic products with the FDA, read more here
Outlook
Ghana’s cosmetic import market has significant growth prospects owing to the evolving consumer needs within the cosmetic market. The market is very competitive and profitable with several players trying to gain a fair share of the market. Despite economic challenges and regulatory hurdles that may be quite challenging for both new entrants and existing players, importers can navigate these challenges and meet diverse consumer needs by identifying market trends through tailored research to uncover valuable insights and seize market opportunities.
About Firmus Advisory Limited
Firmus Advisory offers a comprehensive range of market research services including market and sector insights as well as customer satisfaction studies. Employing the full set of market research tools (depending on a business’s particular need), we unearth insights that will help you understand a business situation and make insightful and profitable decisions. Over the years, we have provided research services to several local and international companies and have obtained optimal experiences in the areas of customer experience surveys, market insights, and brand tracking studies across multiple sectors.
About the Authors
Anita is the Head, Research and Trade Development Firmus Advisory
Rachel is the Senior Research Executive Firmus Advisory
