The world is increasingly embracing N&OPC productsThe world is increasingly embracing N&OPC products

Nutrition Business Journal research shows that global natural & organic personal care (N&OPC) and household product sales totaled $27 billion in 2008, up 11.5% over 2007. Contributing 37%, the U.S. market for N&OPC products dominates the global total. Japan is the second largest national contributor at $3.3 billion or 12%. Weleda, a global company specializing in natural & organic personal care, reported that its certified organic cosmetic brands grew 22% in the Japanese market in 2008. Japanese consumers continue to seek out natural and organic alternatives to chemical-laden beauty products, as is evidenced by the more than 20 L'Occitane natural and specialty personal care retail outlets found in Tokyo alone.

China and the rest of Asia represent about 15% of the global N&OPC market, contributing $4.3 billion in combined sales. China's $2 billion N&OPC market could see increased sales growth as the country's middle class continues to expand and sustainable products become more prevalent in the mainstream. Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido, which has increased its natural offerings in the last two years, plans to launch a new brand in China in 2010 and hopes to garner 20% sales growth in the Chinese market. China represented 10% of the company's sales in 2008, but the company plans to increase its presence in the fast-growing Asian markets to offset a slowing Japanese market. But this trend isn't only for women. Shanghai-based research firm Ifop Asia said that sales of men's skincare products (natural, organic and conventional) were expected to grow by more than 25% in China in 2009.