Shampoos market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, imports of shampoos into North Macedonia showed fluctuating growth, with a noticeable dip to 7.4 million US$ in 2022 followed by strong increases to 8.7 million US$ in 2023 and 10.3 million US$ in 2024. This temporary decline in import value coincided with the introduction of updated cosmetic product regulations in Serbia (No. 47/2022), which included new requirements for shampoos and hair care items. Given the close regional trade links, these regulatory changes likely affected supply chains and compliance procedures for products entering the North Macedonian market.

From 2022 onward, a clear shift in consumer preferences supported market expansion. Demand grew for vegan, natural, and specialty shampoos tailored to specific hair types or needs, such as anti-hair loss and men’s products. This trend, alongside a rise in online shampoo sales, contributed to the subsequent surge in import values in 2023 and 2024 as the market diversified to meet demand for premium and niche segments.

Available data on domestic production covers up to 2020, showing stable output around 1.6 million US$ in 2018–2019 before rising to 1.77 million US$ in 2020. Consequently, the total shampoo market size in North Macedonia recovered to 7.65 million US$ in 2020 after a contraction to 7.27 million US$ the previous year.

Production shampoos in North Macedonia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

North Macedonia's shampoo production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, output reached 1 773 K $ US, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 10.8%. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 12.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.4%. The lowest point was in 2019, with production valued at 1 601 K $ US. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 20.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports shampoos from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

North Macedonia's shampoo exports grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 951 t, a slight increase of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 816 t, which also saw the largest decline of 9.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with exports jumping by 15.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro were the primary markets for North Macedonia's shampoo exports in volume terms. Serbia accounted for 48.9% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 13.8%, and Montenegro for 7.2%. Together, these three countries represented 69.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, North Macedonia's shampoo exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports were recorded at 1 509 K $ US, a slight decrease of 1.0% from the previous year. Despite this drop, exports increased by 6.4% over the 2017-2020 period, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.1%. The peak value was in 2019 at 1 524 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Italy were the top buyers of North Macedonia's shampoos in value terms. Serbia led with 49.1% of exports, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina at 13.9%, and Italy at 6.5%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 69.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020

Imports shampoos to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

North Macedonia's shampoo imports in volume terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 441 t, down 1.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 0.8%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 2 509 t, which also saw a marginal increase of 0.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Slovenia were the main sources of shampoo imports to North Macedonia in volume terms. Together, these three countries supplied 66.7% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, North Macedonia's shampoo imports in value terms increased. In 2020, imports reached 7 384 K $ US, up 2.7% year-over-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3%, averaging an annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 7 191 K $ US, which also experienced the largest drop of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Germany, and Romania were the leading sources of shampoo imports to North Macedonia in value terms. Italy accounted for 31.8% of imports, Germany for 22.8%, and Romania for 15.6%. Together, these three countries made up 70.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020