United States: black hair industry under tariff pressure

A blow to the African-American hair industry: Tariffs imposed on Chinese imports are hitting hard a sector largely held by black entrepreneurs. The vast majority of wigs, weaves, gels and tools come from China, now taxed at up to 145%, before a temporary reduction to 30% as part of trade negotiations.

The immediate result: costs are skyrocketing. In Atlanta, for example, the price of some wigs has jumped by $100 in three weeks, shipping costs have doubled, and even synthetic hair has gone from $6 to $10 to over $15 in some cases. Stylists, caught between rising costs and a clientele weakened by inflation, must either increase prices or reduce margins.

The industry is far from marginal. By 2023, Black hair care was worth over $2.5 billion* worldwide, with black women spending six times more* than the average on this segment. But this momentum is under threat: distribution chains are closing, stocks are dwindling, and some professionals are considering layoffs.

Beyond the economic impact, it’s also a social and cultural issue. In a country where beauty standards remain skewed, hair care is a vector of identity and emancipation. Yet income inequalities make access to these products increasingly difficult: in Atlanta, the median income of a black household is $83,000 lower than that of a white household.

source: Africanews