No, the long days of the lockdown, spent at home with the partner did not tickle the desire for sex. Quite the contrary. The condom industry, in the Covid era, also due to the impossibility of new meetings, suffered a heavy backlash. He confirmed this, in an interview with Nikkei Asia, Goh Miah Kiat, CEO of the giant Karex, a Malaysian company which produces one in five of the condoms in circulation (over 5.5 billion condoms per year, for 140 countries): the use of its products has decreased by up to 40% in the last two years.
Goh explained that, especially in developing countries, hotels and motels play a fundamental role, because in crowded homes it is very difficult to find spaces for intimacy and privacy. But the hotels remained closed during the pandemic period. Also the sex industry, which is usually a major customer in the condom market, has gone through a phase of shutdown over the past two years. Another user also stepped aside: «Most condoms are distributed by governments around the world, which have reduced distribution significantly during Covid-19 », adds the CEO of the condom industry. “For example, in the UK, the national health system has closed most of the non-essential clinics due to Covid, and those for sexual well-being, which distribute condoms, have also been closed.”
Karex, however, recorded an increase in sales of other products, especially personal lubricants, probe cover for medical devices and catheters used in transurethral drainage of the bladder.
Now it seems that the trend is reversing again: condom sales are starting to rise again around the world, and plants in Malaysia and Thailand are operating at an almost normal pace. The company expects a further increase in demand, with the return to social activities. “The current recovery is mainly focused on developed markets for both own-brand manufacturing and the commercial segment, while demand for the tender market is likely to continue to be weak as government funding, on the other hand, remains focused on vaccine protection anti Covid-19».
Meanwhile, Karex is also launching itself into the market – which is booming – of gods latex gloves. On the other hand, similar materials and technologies are used to make both condoms and gloves. Production will start in Thailand by the middle of this year.
Other stories of Vanity Fair that might interest you:
“I’m disabled and I need to have sex”
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