Condom shortage looms as major producers China, India reeling under COVID-19
The world’s biggest maker of condoms warned of a global shortage as supply falls by almost 50% while its stockpile is set to last for just another two months.
Malaysia-based Karex Bhd., which makes one out of every five condoms worldwide, only restarted its factories on Friday after a week-long closure, working with just half its workforce to comply with a lockdown that the country imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The company said condoms are mainly made in China and India, which are both heavily impacted by the pandemic.
Meanwhile, demand is growing at “double digits” as governments around the world issue stay-at-home notices and many people abstain from having children due to the uncertain future, said Goh Miah Kiat, group chief executive officer at Karex.
The company produces for brands like Durex as well as its own line of specialty condoms such as Durian-flavored ones. It churns out more than 5 billion condoms a year and exports them to more than 140 countries. That has become more challenging as governments shut borders and airlines cancel flights.
“I would definitely say this is an unprecedented stage, we have never seen such a disruption,” Goh said in an interview on Friday.
Condoms could also get much more expensive, he warned. “We are still paying all our workers full salaries but workers only come in half the time so generally there will be a cost increase,” he said.
Source: Bloomberg
Trending News
Ukraine opens resident mission in Accra
11:23GACL interdicts KIA staffers who helped Dutchwoman smuggle cocaine
03:39NDC Gadangme Caucus condemns shooting incident at Kplejoo festival in Tema Newtown
10:07Renaming of Ameri Power Plants deceptive: MP
11:14Nigeria recovers $24m in poverty minister investigation: EFCC
03:26It's a fallacy that the amount of any fertiliser used equates yield – COCOBOD’s RM&E Dir. pooh-poohs prosecution's attempt to downplay Lithovit's efficacy
11:29Former Kotoko player George Asare elected SRC President of Presbyterian University Law Faculty
08:35Tema Kpelejoo clash: We’ll implement security measures to prevent a repeat – MESEC
09:46Ghanaian students in Serbia send SOS for delayed stipends
08:31Only those who've made money under this Akufo-Addo-Bawumia 'scam' of a gov't'll vote for NPP again - Mahama
09:18