Karex Berhad has announced plans to raise condom prices by 20 to 30 percent due to supply chain disruptions linked to the Iran war.
The Malaysia-based company, regarded as the world’s largest condom producer, said the increase is driven by rising costs of raw materials and logistics challenges since the conflict began in late February. Karex, which produces over five billion condoms annually and supplies major brands like Durex and Trojan, also provides products to public health systems such as the National Health Service and global programmes run by the United Nations.
Chief Executive Officer Goh Miah told Reuters that the costs of key materials, including synthetic rubber, nitrile, aluminium foils and silicone oil, have surged, while freight delays have worsened supply shortages. “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. He added that shipments to Europe and the United States now take nearly two months, up from about a month previously, noting, “We’re seeing a lot more condoms actually sitting on vessels that have not arrived at their destination but are highly required.” The company said it is working to boost output as demand rises, particularly in developing countries facing stock shortages.
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