Condom prices to jump by 30 percent due to Iran war, Strait of Hormuz blockade

The impact of the Iran war is now being felt in the global condom industry. Karex, a company responsible for around 20% of worldwide production, is planning to raise prices by 30%. CEO Goh Miah Kiat told Bloomberg News that continued instability in the Middle East is disrupting supply chains and increasing production costs.

The Malaysian firm manufactures roughly 5 billion condoms each year, supplying brands like Durex as well as its own products, such as ONE Condoms and Carex.

Karex relies on several petrochemical-based inputs, including ammonia to preserve latex, ethanol used in packaging and printing, and silicone oil for lubricating each condom. Since the war began, silicone oil prices have increased by around 30 percent, while nitrile latex costs have roughly doubled.

The price increase for condoms will be implemented in the coming months, according to Goh. Although the situation remains fragile, Goh has said the company currently has enough supplies to cover the next few months.

Karex is a key supplier to public health systems such as the UK’s NHS and United Nations humanitarian programmes. Analysts warn that rising costs and supply chain disruptions could put pressure on contraceptive availability in aid-dependent regions, particularly in developing countries.

The condom price hike comes at an unusual moment in the Netherlands. The cost of living crisis and ongoing housing shortage were key factors in a recent survey where more than half of young adults indicated they do not want to have children.