Karex Warns Condom Prices May Rise 30% Amid Iran War Supply Strain

TL;DR: Karex Bhd plans to raise condom prices by 20‑30% and could increase them further if Iran‑war supply chain disruptions persist, as global demand has risen about 30% and shipping times to Europe and the U.S. have doubled.

Karex, based in Malaysia, produces over five billion condoms each year and supplies brands such as Durex and Trojan, as well as the UK’s NHS and UN aid programmes. The company says rising freight costs and shipping delays have left many customers with lower stockpiles than usual.

Karex’s chief executive told Reuters that the firm will increase prices by 20% to 30% now, with the possibility of additional hikes if the Iran conflict continues to disrupt raw‑material flows.

Global condom demand has grown roughly 30% this year, a surge that has been worsened by shipping delays causing shortages in many markets.

Shipping times for Karex’s condoms to Europe and the United States have increased from about one month to nearly two months, doubling the usual transit period.

Higher prices and longer delivery times could affect affordability and availability of condoms in both developed and developing countries, potentially impacting public‑health programmes that rely on low‑cost supplies. Analysts will watch whether Karex can boost output enough to ease the backlog and if further geopolitical developments in the Middle East trigger additional cost pressures.

What to watch next: any announcements from Karex on production expansions or price adjustments, and how international aid agencies respond to the changing cost environment.