Weekly Production of Splash-Proof Masks Surpasses 80 Million Units

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The domestic production of droplet-blocking masks, which are lightweight and highly breathable, has surged due to increased demand in the summer season.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 4th that the total mask production in the 5th week of July (July 27 to August 2) reached 180.69 million units, marking the highest volume since statistics began in February.

While the production of health masks such as KF94 decreased by 1.3% compared to the previous week, the production of droplet-blocking masks increased by 18.1%, from 69.26 million to 81.81 million units during the same period. Surgical mask production also rose by 11.1%, from 4.67 million to 5.19 million units.

In particular, droplet-blocking masks recorded a daily production high of 14.64 million units on July 27.

Regarding mask prices, health masks are maintained in the range of 1,500 to 1,700 KRW, while droplet-blocking masks are priced between 700 and 800 KRW. Both types of masks have maintained stable prices online and offline even after the abolition of the public mask system.

Exports of health masks surged by 163.4% to 3.82 million units in the 5th week of July, compared to 1.45 million units in the 2nd week of July before the implementation of the total export volume system. However, exports of droplet-blocking masks and surgical dental masks, which have high domestic demand, remain prohibited.

Yang Jin-young, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, urged, "Even in August, when summer vacations are in full swing, we ask everyone to thoroughly practice personal hygiene such as wearing masks and washing hands."