The diaper market in Jujuy is experiencing a shift, with sales of baby diapers declining and demand for adult and disability-related products increasing. This trend has persisted for several years, according to Ernesto Mármol, a local merchant who spoke about the changes on Mar. 28.
Mármol said that the drop in baby diaper sales is largely due to lower birth rates. He estimated that sales have fallen by around 40 percent and have not recovered since last year. “The sale of diapers for babies has decreased enormously in recent years,” Mármol said.
In contrast, the market for adult diapers remains steady. Mármol attributed this stability to coverage provided by health insurance plans and an increase in life expectancy among the population. “They are sustained because in many cases they have social security coverage,” he said.
Regarding prices, Mármol noted that they remain relatively stable and sometimes even rise at a rate below inflation. National brands saw price increases of up to 18 percent, while multinational brands experienced hikes close to 30 percent. Imported products had the highest price increases due to external costs; however, most raw materials used in domestic diaper production are sourced locally, helping maintain some stability in supply.
Mármol also highlighted that despite rising costs for imported goods, local manufacturing relies heavily on Argentine-made components which helps moderate overall price volatility.
