According to Yonhap News,
Driven by market expansion into the United States and Europe, Korea’s biohealth industry exports are projected to reach a record high of USD 30.4 billion (approximately KRW 44.93 trillion) next year.
On December 18th, 5he Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) announced these export trends and outlooks for the biohealth industry.
According to the institute, biohealth industry exports this year are expected to total about USD 27.9 billion, up 10.6 percent from last year.
Biohealth exports surpassed USD 10 billion in 2016 and continued to grow steadily, exceeding USD 20 billion in 2020. In 2022 and 2023, overall exports declined due to factors such as reduced medical device exports following the transition to an endemic phase of COVID-19, but growth rebounded last year thanks to the strong performance of “K-beauty.”
KHIDI analyzed that increased exports of biopharmaceuticals and basic cosmetics to the United States and Europe drove the rise in total exports this year. In particular, exports of biopharmaceuticals—the largest segment within pharmaceuticals—are expected to increase by 25.7 percent compared to last year, supported by growing demand in the U.S. and Europe.
While the growth of K-beauty has slowed in the Asia-Pacific region due to low-priced Chinese cosmetics, cosmetics exports are expected to grow steadily as markets expand into the U.S. and Europe. Total cosmetics exports this year are estimated at USD 11.4 billion.
Meanwhile, biohealth industry exports next year are projected to rise 9.0 percent year-on-year to USD 30.4 billion—USD 11.7 billion in pharmaceuticals, USD 6.2 billion in medical devices, and USD 12.5 billion in cosmetics—setting another all-time high following this year’s record.
Next year, export destinations are expected to expand from the Asia-Pacific region to the U.S. and Europe, leading to increased pharmaceutical sales in these markets. In particular, exports are forecast to grow as toxin-based products such as botulinum toxin gain wider approval overseas and supply chains expand into emerging markets, including Latin America.
Exports of medical devices, such as aesthetic laser equipment, and cosmetics are also expected to increase in line with the spread of K-beauty. KHIDI stated, “As K-beauty experiences spread among Gen Z consumers, online-based consumption becomes more active, and entry into emerging markets accelerates, further export growth is anticipated.”
fat@yna.co.kr
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Source: Yonhap News (December 18, 2025)
** This article was translated from Korean.