Condom sales explode 170% in Russia over fears sanctions will cause shortages – World News

Russia’s largest on-line retailer Wildberries noticed condom gross sales soar 170 per cent within the first two weeks of March in contrast with final 12 months as demand will increase

Demand for condoms has skyrocketed in Russia amid fears of sharp value will increase and shortages triggered by Western sanctions.

That is regardless of dominant British firm Reckitt – maker of Durex and different manufacturers – persevering with to commerce within the nation even whereas slamming the warfare in Ukraine as “unconscionable”.

The nation’s largest on-line retailer Wildberries noticed condom gross sales soar 170 per cent within the first two weeks of March in contrast with final 12 months.

Main pharmacy chain 36.6 reported a 26 per cent rise in gross sales.

General, there was a 32 per cent increase within the worth of chemist condom purchases in contrast with a 12 months in the past.

And supermarkets stated their gross sales have been up 30 per cent, reported RBC.

Yesenia Shamonina, co-owner of the Prezervativnaya intercourse store, stated: “Persons are shopping for for the longer term, even if we have been pressured to boost costs.”

Prices to the patron had risen by as much as 50 per cent relying on the model, she stated.

Shops are pressured to cross on value will increase brought on by the sinking worth of the Russian rouble in opposition to key Western currencies.

This was as a result of collapsing confidence in Vladimir Putin’s economic system after he launched the invasion of Ukraine.

An business supply stated that whereas Latex comes from international locations which aren’t making use of sanctions, they need to purchase in Western currencies which are actually far costlier .

The frenzy on condoms was so nice that Putin’s Ministry of Business and Commerce was pressured to subject a denial that there can be long run issues.

“A scarcity of this product will not be predicted,” insisted officers.

“The biggest producing international locations – Thailand, India, South Korea, and China – haven’t stopped deliveries of merchandise to the Russian Federation.”

Historically, Russia imports 600 million condoms a 12 months, and produces 100 million.

Reckitt employs round 1,300 folks in Russia and makes within the area of £400 million yearly on this market.

“Because the scenario continues to evolve, we are going to proceed to take motion and reply, at all times performing with the suitable responsibility of care to our workers,” stated the corporate in an announcement.

Sexologist Yevgeny Kalgavchuk urged Russians to make use of “good condoms” from “pleasant international locations” moderately than these made in Western markets imposing sanctions.

Enterprise professional Pavel Spichakov stated that 95 per cent of the condom market in Russia is owned by international corporations.

“An English firm Reckitt, which produces the manufacturers Durex, Contex, Hussar and others, accounts for over 60 per cent of it,” he stated.

He didn’t anticipate Reckitt to depart regardless of the walkout of Russia by different Western companies.

“There isn’t a hope that the corporate will voluntarily depart the Russian market,” he stated.

But when they have been pressured out, Russia may increase its personal manufacturing, he stated.