Korean Cosmetics Exports Hit Record $7 Billion in H1 2026, First K-Beauty ETF Approved for U.S. Listing

According to South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the country's cosmetics exports reached $7 billion (provisional) in the first half of 2026, up 27.3% year-over-year and marking the highest H1 result on record. The U.S. accounted for $1.45 billion, or 20.7% of total exports, surging 41.5% compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, on July 10, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission received a prospectus filing for the Guinness Atkinson K-Beauty ETF (ticker KBTY), the first K-beauty ETF in the U.S. market. The fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in K-beauty companies across the beauty care, manufacturing, and distribution value chain, and is set to list on NYSE Arca.