Unmasked: Bought from China for 50 paisa each, sold at Rs5

The Chinese market is cashing in on the worldwide swine flu scare, churning out inferior quality masks at dirt cheap rates.

In the past one month, the city has been flooded with these masks, which are selling in the wholesale market at just Rs5 each — less than half of the existing market rates. At retail outlets, the cost of these ranges between Rs9 and Rs14 apiece. In comparison, a standard mask, approved by the public health administration, is priced between Rs15 and Rs20.

A wholesale dealer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the actual cost of these Chinese masks was as little as 50 paisa apiece. In fact, the production cost of each is a mere 15 paisa. They are manufactured in small illegal factories in China and shipped all across the globe.

Grey market sources said that at least 2 crore China-made masks have arrived in the city in the past one month. Most of the parcels coming by planes have headed for Manish Market, near Crawford Market. From there, they were sold to wholesalers and retailers across the country. Many consignments were sent to New Delhi and other districts in Maharashtra.

Dealers said that the cheap rates have made these masks one of the fastest selling product in the market.

“The quality of the Chinese mask is much inferior. But as the flu scare is in the air, people tend to buy these cheaper versions,” said a wholesale dealer, who made a profit of Rs20,000 in the just three weeks.

“In India, Mumbai is the central point for disbursal of these China-made masks. We have sold most of these masks to retailers in Pune, where the maximum number of swine flu deaths has been reported,” said another wholesaler.