Global Condom Prices Set To Surge As Middle East Conflict Strains Supply Chains

The cost of safe sex is about to rise significantly. Karex Bhd, the world’s largest producer of condoms, has announced plans to hike prices by 20% to 30%, with further increases likely if regional instability in the Middle East persists.

In an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, CEO Goh Miah Kiat explained that the company has reached a breaking point due to the economic ripples caused by the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

A Fragile Global Supply Chain

Karex, which produces over 5 billion condoms annually, is a critical pillar of global public health. The company supplies major commercial brands like Durex and Trojan, as well as essential organizations including the United Nations and the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).

According to Goh, the decision to raise prices was unavoidable as the “fragile” global situation has sent the cost of raw materials skyrocketing.

Key Drivers of the Price Hike:

• Raw Materials: The prices of synthetic rubber, nitrile, and silicone oil (used for lubrication) have all surged since late February.

• Packaging Costs: Significant increases in the cost of aluminum foils used for individual packaging.

• Energy Shocks: The conflict has strained petrochemical flows from the Middle East, a vital region for the manufacturing of latex-related products.

Demand Surges Amid Stockpile Shortages

Paradoxically, as prices rise, demand is also spiking. Many of Karex’s global customers are currently grappling with critically low stockpiles.

Rising freight costs and persistent shipping delays have made it difficult for distributors to maintain their usual inventory levels. This “perfect storm” of high demand and disrupted supply has forced the manufacturer to pass these operational costs directly to the consumer.

The Wider Economic Impact

Karex is not alone in its struggle. The company joins a growing list of manufacturers—particularly in the medical and hygiene sectors—bracing for long-term bottlenecks. Producers of medical gloves and other petrochemical-dependent goods are facing similar hurdles as the war continues to disrupt global procurement routes.

“We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers,” Goh stated, signaling that the era of low-cost contraceptives may be ending as long as energy and logistics remain under pressure.