Madeleine Speed and Thomas HaleMay 31, 2026 – 11.06amDurex condom sales have fallen sharply in China after the government removed a long-running tax exemption and clamped down on the marketing of contraceptives as part of sweeping efforts to revitalise the country’s birth rate.Sales of China’s leading condom brand, owned by UK consumer goods group Reckitt, fell by 5 per cent in the country during the first quarter, according to estimates based on company earnings by Jefferies. That marked a dramatic slowdown from Durex’s sales growth last year, which topped 40 per cent in China, Jefferies calculated.Financial TimesSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles