Karex, the world’s largest condom maker, is set to sharply increase prices as supply chain disruptions linked to the ongoing Iran war drive up production and logistics costs.
As per media reports, the Malaysia-based company plans to raise prices by 20% to 30%, with further hikes possible if disruptions persist, according to CEO Goh Miah Kiat. The conflict has significantly impacted the availability and cost of key raw materials such as synthetic rubber, nitrile and lubricants, while also delaying shipments across global markets.
Karex, which produces more than 5 billion condoms annually for brands and public health programmes worldwide, is also facing a surge in demand alongside constrained supply. Shipping times to key regions such as the US and Europe have nearly doubled due to logistical bottlenecks and disruptions in critical trade routes.
Media reports suggest that the strain on supply chains is being compounded by reduced global aid flows and broader petrochemical shortages stemming from the Middle East conflict. Industry-wide challenges have forced the company to pass on increased costs to customers, even as it works to maintain output levels and meet rising demand.
Karex joins a growing list of manufacturers grappling with the economic fallout of the conflict, as supply chain instability continues to ripple across industries dependent on petrochemical inputs and global shipping networks.
