Imports of oxygen concentrators, supplies from China surge

Most of the supplies coming in from China have been imported by private Indian companies on a commercial basis.

Chinese companies manufacturing oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies are reporting a record surge in orders for April and May from Indian companies amid the current wave of COVID-19 cases in India and shortages in supplies. Since April, orders for at least 40,000 oxygen concentrators have been placed by Indian companies, of which 21,000 have so far been delivered, along with more than 5,000 ventilators, 21 million face masks and 3,800 tons of medicines, according to official Chinese customs figures. Shares of medical manufacturers in China are also soaring on the back of the surge in orders. Yuyue Medical, a prominent supplier, reported a 134% year-on-year increase in net profit to $278 million in April, reported Yicai, a Chinese outlet, with 18,000 orders for oxygen concentrators from India. “Its respiratory supplies division, which includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators, reported an 86% jump in revenue to $355 million,” Yicai reported.