Short-term demand for surgical masks remains unprecedented, but growing awareness regarding effectiveness will lead to steady sales in the long-term, according to a latest study by ESOMAR.
ESOMAR: Demand for low-cost masks continues to grow
According to the study, a sizeable percentage of people are likely to continue wearing masks in crowded places, and cities where pollution levels are high.
Through the years, surgical masks have remained among the most prominent protective equipment among healthcare professionals while performing medical procedures.
As the number of surgeries continues to increase in direct proportion with the expanding base of the geriatric population, the demand for protective surgical equipment, including surgical masks, is expected to prevail high for the years to come.
As per the statistics of The Lancet, the number of surgeries conducted across the world surged passed 313 million in recent years and continues to rise year-on-year, offering substantial revenue opportunities to market players. Likewise, high levels of air pollution have made wearing masks a common practice.
Besides, the sales of masks in the aforementioned regions have historically witnessed an upsurge during the flu seasons. On these lines, the outbreak of COVID-19 is creating an unprecedented demand for surgical masks, as they become an integral part of routine during the pandemic.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has proven fruitful to the manufacturers of surgical masks, as demand for surgical masks has never been higher. As the number of infections continues to spike with no vaccine approval in sight, people are resorting to personal protective measures.
On this premise, surgical masks have emerged as the most accessible and efficient safety measure, and have become an integral part of their lives. Surgical masks are currently among the most sought out essentials and are poised to remain through the pandemic, thus catalysing the overall market growth.