If demand increases for PPE (e.g. a righward shift of the demand curve) because of a pandemic, then prices increase but quantity demanded increases as well.
They may have existing futures contracts at the prior price and quantity but if quantity demanded has increased, then that means there are new orders as well that would be at the new, higher, market price.
The article is about them increasing their output. They could have sold the factories previous expected output via a futures contract. That doesn't stop them increasing output and selling in excess of any futures contracts.
Comments
If demand increases for PPE (e.g. a righward shift of the demand curve) because of a pandemic, then prices increase but quantity demanded increases as well.
They may have existing futures contracts at the prior price and quantity but if quantity demanded has increased, then that means there are new orders as well that would be at the new, higher, market price.
The article is about them increasing their output. They could have sold the factories previous expected output via a futures contract. That doesn't stop them increasing output and selling in excess of any futures contracts.