Remember that time we were locked up at home with nothing to do but watch Bridgerton and drink pineapple beer? The start of the pandemic not only saw COVID-19 cases surge, but sex toy sales too as people looked for new ways to get freaky and do something other than the aforementioned activities. Even Cotton On decided to get in on the “action.”
So, imagine the surprise when Karex, the world’s largest condom maker recently revealed that condom sales actually declined during the pandemic.
Are people not getting “freaky?” Or perhaps they’re just not being responsible with their freakiness?
Whatever the reason, Karex CEO Goh Miah Kiat stated that sales have fallen as much as 40% in the last two years.
The Malaysian manufacturer produces around 5.5 billion condoms a year and is a supplier to major brands, including Durex and Trojan. As stringent COVID protocols restricted movement around the world, Karex predicted that a condom shortage would grip the globe as the pandemic forced factory shutdowns, reports Business Insider.
Instead, condom sales remained flaccid throughout the pandemic with major condom distributors such as Durex also being affected.
According to Goh, one of the major reasons for the condom slump is hotel and motel closures as people often seek out these locations for privacy. As many people attempted to “do it themselves” with sex toys, the sex industry, particularly in-person sex providers were also impacted by the health crisis.
Large government condom distribution programmes have also been slowed by the pandemic, contributing to condom sales.
However, condom sales appear to be on the up. This appears to align with data provided by major condom distributors such as Durex and Trojan who have reported improved sales following the ease of restrictions.
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