Mask Production Reaches 170 Million Units per Week... Record High

From 69.9 Million at the End of February to 2.4 Times Increase in 5 Months

A mask display stand at a convenience store in downtown Seoul

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The mask production volume for the fourth week of July was recorded at 168.83 million units, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's announcement on the 28th. This is more than a 13% increase from 148.83 million units the previous week. This level of mask production is the highest since the government began compiling related statistics in late February to manage the mask supply system. Compared to five months ago, production has increased more than 2.4 times.

With the weather getting warmer, the production of droplet-blocking masks surged to 69.26 million units in the past week, a 26% increase from the previous week. Health masks (KF94) were produced at 94.9 million units, marking a 6% increase during the same period. Surgical masks were produced at 4.67 million units, a 3.5% increase.

Prices have also stabilized. According to Statistics Korea, the price of KF94 health masks dropped significantly from 4,221 won in the fourth week of February to 1,644 won last week. Pharmacies sold them at around 1,590 won, while marts priced them at about 1,967 won. The online price of droplet-blocking masks (KF-AD) was 1,145 won in late last month but fell to 850 won last week. Pharmacies and marts maintained prices at 756 won and 684 won, respectively.

The government ended the public mask system and has maintained a market-based supply management system since the 12th. However, it has established a system to monitor supply conditions at all times and to promptly take measures such as increasing production or restricting exports if the market becomes unstable. The expedited approval process to encourage the production of droplet-blocking masks, which have higher demand than initially expected, is part of this approach.

At a briefing on the same day, Deputy Director Yang Jin-young of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, "(Droplet-blocking masks) are currently being produced at nearly 9 to 10 million units per day, and to prepare for any shortages, we will support rapid approvals and resolve difficulties faced by the industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.