Condom Price to Increase; World Biggest Producer Announces

The World's biggest condom manufacturer, Karex, has disclosed that the firm will raise its prices by up to 30% or possibly higher if the Iran war continues to disrupt supplies of the raw materials used in its products.

Karex's Boss Goh Miah Kiat told international media outlets that production costs have risen sharply since the start of the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States.

The firm, based in Malaysia produces more than five billion condoms annually and supplies leading global brands such as Durex and Trojan, as well as state health systems like the UK's NHS.

Goh made the disclosure in interviews with Reuters and Bloomberg. The BBC has contacted the company.

Karex relies on materials derived from oil, including ammonia - which is used to preserve latex - and silicone-based lubricants.

Global oil distributions have been severely disrupted since Iran responded to US and Israeli airstrikes with threats to target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

That has eventually blocked the waterway, leading to huge disruptions to global supply chains.

Around a fifth of the world's crude oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) - as well as other petrochemicals - usually passes through the strait.

Demand for condoms has risen by about 30% this year, with higher freight costs and delays to shipping worsening shortages, Goh said.

"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 surge in condom prices underscores how the US-Israel war with Iran, which has already rocked the world's energy markets, is also pushing up prices of other goods for consumers.

The status of peace talks between the US and Iran remained unclear on Wednesday after President Donald Trump said he will extend a ceasefire between the two countries until negotiations have progressed.

Credit: BBC