Jamaica beauty and personal care sector on track for US$250m yearly earnings

Hon. Delano Seiveright, State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, has forecast that Jamaica's beauty and personal care sector could bring in roughly US$250 million each year while maintaining steady growth.

Speaking at the opening of the Jamaica International Beauty Expo on Friday, 26 June, at the National Arena in Kingston, he said the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) regards beauty and personal care as among the island's strongest prospects for export growth. He pointed to locally sourced inputs and a widening base of manufacturing capacity as key strengths.

"We have internationally recognised natural ingredients, such as black castor oil, coconut-based products and other botanical extracts. We have exceptionally talented hairstylists, we have amazing barbers, we have great makeup artists, great nail technicians, highly skilled aestheticians, and innovative manufacturers, and they're all passionate about what they do," he said.

Mr. Seiveright told the audience that Jamaica already possesses the human capital needed to keep the sector expanding. He stressed, however, that the main hurdle is converting that skill into enterprises that can produce at scale, sell abroad, and compete through online channels.

Drawing on figures from global consultancy McKinsey, he said worldwide demand for beauty products is expected to rise by about five per cent per year until 2030, when the market could be worth roughly US$590 billion.

"It is one of the world's largest, fastest growing and most resilient consumer industries. So even during times of great global uncertainty, people continue investing in wellness, they continue to invest in self-expression, they continue to invest in grooming, and that resilience presents tremendous opportunities for Jamaica," Mr. Seiveright explained.

He argued there is no barrier preventing the next globally known beauty label from taking root in Kingston, Montego Bay, Spanish Town, or May Pen.

"But achieving that requires something beyond talent. It requires professionalism. Professionalism means consistency, excellent customer service… it means maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and safety, and understanding that every satisfied customer becomes your greatest ambassador," Mr. Seiveright said.