The boss of the world’s largest condom manufacturer, Karex, has said the company may increase prices by as much as 30% or even higher if the ongoing Iran-related conflict continues to disrupt the supply of key raw materials.
Chief executive Goh Miah Kiat told media outlets that production expenses have surged significantly since the escalation of the conflict.
The Malaysia-based company produces over five billion condoms annually and supplies major global brands such as Durex and Trojan, as well as public health systems including the UK’s NHS.
Goh shared the update in interviews with Reuters and Bloomberg. The BBC has also reached out to the company for comment.
Global oil markets have been heavily affected following Iran’s response to US and Israeli airstrikes, including threats to target ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The tension has effectively disrupted movement through the key waterway, causing widespread strain on global supply chains.
Roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas, along with other petrochemical products, typically passes through the strait.
Karex depends on oil-derived inputs such as ammonia—used in preserving latex—and silicone-based lubricants, both of which have become more expensive.
According to Goh, demand for condoms has also climbed by about 30% this year, while higher freight charges and shipping delays have added to supply pressures.
“In bad times, the need to use condoms is even more because you’re uncertain with your future, whether you’d still have a job next year,” he told Bloomberg.
“If you have a baby right now, you’ll have one more mouth to feed,” he added.
The potential rise in condom prices highlights how the US-Israel-Iran tensions, already unsettling global energy markets, are also feeding into broader inflation across consumer goods.
The conflict has contributed to rising airfares, with economy tickets priced at the lowest levels now about 24% higher on average than a year ago, according to recent research.
Shipping disruptions in the Gulf have pushed up fertiliser costs and led to a shortage of helium, an essential material in semiconductor production.
The bottled water sector is similarly feeling the impact, as manufacturers face difficulties sourcing raw materials.
Earlier this month, the United Nations warned that prices for sugar, dairy, and fruit are expected to increase due to transportation costs.
Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over peace talks between the US and Iran, after President Donald Trump said he would extend a ceasefire between both countries pending progress in negotiations.
