Condom Prices Could Rise By 30% Due TO US-Iran War

Malaysia based Karex Bhd, the world’s largest condom producer, plans to raise prices by between 20% and 30% as supply chain disruption linked to the Iran war drives up costs.

Chief executive Goh Miah Kiat said the company may increase prices further if conditions remain unstable.

Karex is experiencing a sharp rise in demand at the same time as freight costs climb and shipping delays worsen, leaving customers with lower than normal stock levels.

The firm supplies more than five billion condoms each year to major brands and public health systems, including the UK’s NHS and international aid programmes.

According to Goh, the situation is fragile, with higher prices for raw materials such as synthetic rubber, nitrile, aluminium foil and silicone oil affecting production. Disruption to energy and petrochemical flows from the Middle East has made sourcing these materials more difficult.

Although Karex has sufficient inventory for the coming months, it is working to increase output to meet demand, which has risen by about 30% this year. Cuts to foreign aid budgets have also reduced global stockpiles.

Shipping times to Europe and the United States have nearly doubled to around two months, further tightening supply, particularly in developing countries.

He added that many consignments remain in transit for extended periods, meaning essential supplies are effectively unavailable when needed.

This lag is creating additional pressure on distribution networks and complicating efforts by health organisations to maintain consistent access to contraception worldwide.

#MaltaDaily