By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Karex Berhad, the world’s largest condom producer, has announced plans to increase prices by between 20 and 30 per cent, citing supply chain disruptions triggered by the ongoing Iran war.
The company disclosed that the price adjustment followed rising production and logistics costs since the conflict began in late February, affecting key raw materials such as synthetic rubber, nitrile, aluminium foils, and silicone oil used in condom manufacturing.
The development has also been compounded by shipping delays and higher freight costs, which have disrupted global distribution and reduced stock levels among customers.
Speaking to Reuters, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Goh Miah Kiat, said the situation had become increasingly difficult for manufacturers to absorb rising costs.
“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive. We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers,” he said.
Karex, which produces over five billion condoms annually, supplies major global brands such as Durex and Trojan, as well as public health systems like Britain’s National Health Service and international aid programmes run by the United Nations.
Kiat noted that delivery timelines have worsened significantly, with shipments to Europe and the United States now taking nearly two months, compared to about one month previously.
“We’re seeing a lot more condoms actually sitting on vessels that have not arrived at their destination but are highly required,” he said.
He further explained that the delays have created shortages, particularly in developing countries, where stock replenishment depends heavily on timely shipments.
According to him, Karex is currently experiencing increased demand as customers rush to secure supplies amid uncertainty in the global logistics chain.
Despite the challenges, the CEO assured that the company has sufficient inventory for the next few months and is exploring ways to ramp up production to meet rising demand.
The development places Karex among a growing number of manufacturers, including medical glove producers, grappling with supply chain bottlenecks as the Iran war continues to disrupt the procurement of critical raw materials worldwide.
