Medical Masks Prices Up 400% as Exports Increase

The prices of medical masks in the Egyptian market increased by about 400% in conjunction with the announcement by the Ministry of Health of the discovery of the first case of coronavirus for a foreign person and increasing exports.

According to the Federation of Chambers of Commerce's General Division of Medical Supplies, masks increased by about 400% in the Egyptian market in just 13 days, during the period from 3-16 February.

The General Secretary of the Division, Medhat Rozeik said on Sunday that the price of the package reached EGP 140 in the market as a wholesale price, compared to EGP 50 in February, explaining that the package contains 50 masks.

The Egyptian Ministry of Health announced last Friday that the first case of corona virus was discovered for a foreign citizen, and he was transferred to a Hospital in Marsa Matruh to continue his treatment.

Rozeik pointed out that there is an increase in the demand for medical masks during the current period, in conjunction with a number of traders buying them to export them to China to fulfill supply amid the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

The prices of masks in Egypt were about one Egyptian pound before the announcement and intention to export, raising their price in the pharmacies, amid increasing global demand.

The General Secretary denied intentions to stop export activities, noting that there are a number of factories working in the current period to increase their production to meet the needs of the local market.