Global condom prices are set to rise by 20 to 30 per cent after the Iran war disrupted supply chains and drove up the cost of petrochemical raw materials. Malaysia-based Karex, the world’s largest condom manufacturer responsible for about one-fifth of global production, said sharp increases in the price of synthetic rubber, nitrile, packaging and lubricants have left it with no choice but to pass costs on to customers. Some raw material prices have doubled, while shipping delays have stretched deliveries to Europe and the United States to nearly two months.

The crisis is linked to a shortage of naphtha, a petroleum by-product crucial for producing synthetic materials. Asia relies heavily on Middle Eastern supplies, and refining margins have surged dramatically since the conflict began. Prices for plastic resins and other petrochemical products have also climbed to record highs, affecting industries from food packaging to medical supplies.

Condom demand has risen by about 30 per cent this year as buyers attempt to rebuild depleted inventories. However, shortages are already being felt in developing countries. In Kenya, where hundreds of millions of condoms are needed annually, funding gaps and rising retail prices have limited access, particularly for low-income earners and sex workers.

Health experts warn that reduced condom availability could reverse progress in preventing sexually transmitted infections. Clinics in Kenya are already reporting rising cases of infections such as syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Advocates caution that without sustained investment and affordable access to condoms, infection rates could climb further if the supply crisis continues.