Less sex with condoms during pandemic, leading manufacturer says drop in sales

Many people across the globe aren’t using condoms during sex. Sales for the contraceptive have reportedly dropped drastically during the pandemic for the world’s largest condom manufacturer, Karex. According to a report by Nikkei Asia, the Malaysian manufacturer, which supplies condoms to leading brands like Durex and ONE, says the use of its products has plummeted by 40%.

Some would think that more people would have more sex since people were forced to stay at home, and in turn, they’d buy more condoms. Karex even estimated that the demand for condoms would grow at “double digits,” it didn’t, according to a report by Nikkei Asia.

Maybe it’s because people are less likely to meet in person with a Tinder date, or go home with someone they met at a bar. But the major issues, the company says, were the closure of sexual wellness centres and the suspension of government-funded condom handout programmes.

The condom company is actually planning on cashing in on the medical glove industry, which has boomed during the pandemic. By mid-year, the company will start production in Thailand.

SOURCE: Bloomberg