Malaysia-based Karex Bhd, the world’s largest producer of condoms, has announced plans to raise prices by 20 to 30 percent as supply chain disruptions linked to the Iran war drive up production costs.
Chief executive Goh Miah Kiat said the company may increase prices further if disruptions persist, citing a sharp rise in the cost of key raw materials such as synthetic rubber and nitrile.
“The situation is very fragile. Prices are expensive, and we have no choice but to pass on the cost to customers,” Goh said, noting that some input prices have already doubled.
Karex, which produces more than five billion condoms annually, supplies major brands including Durex and Trojan, as well as international aid programmes.
The company is also experiencing a surge in demand, as higher freight costs and shipping delays have left many customers with reduced stockpiles.
Karex joins a growing number of manufacturers, including medical glove producers, facing supply chain bottlenecks as the conflict disrupts energy and petrochemical flows from the Middle East.
Since the war began in late February, costs have risen across the board — from raw materials to packaging components such as aluminium foil and lubricants like silicone oil — adding further pressure to global supply chains.
Sources: Reuters
