Story perspectives

Karex hikes condom prices 30% as Iran war disrupts supply

4/24/2026

Summary

Karex Raises Prices

Karex will raise condom prices by up to 30% as the Iran war disrupts supplies.
Input costs for synthetic rubber, nitrile, aluminum foil and silicone oil have doubled or risen about 100%.
Freight spikes now make deliveries to Europe and the U.S. take about two months instead of one.
CEO Goh Miah Kiat warned that continued conflict could cause material shortages, halt production and endanger jobs.

Summary

UNAIDS Flags Decline

UNAIDS reports that Nigeria’s condom distribution fell 55% between Dec 2024 and Mar 2025, raising HIV concerns.
Global Protection Corp. says nitrile prices doubled, latex rose 30% and lubricants rose 25% while tariffs remain.
KPMG’s Angie Gildea notes that 41% of Asia’s naphtha is Middle-East-sourced, threatening regional feedstock supply.
USAID funding cuts have pushed condom sales toward the commercial market, creating new private buyers.

History

Historical Context

The 1973 oil crisis, triggered by the Arab oil embargo during the Yom Kippur War, caused oil prices to quadruple, leading to widespread inflation and economic turmoil. This crisis highlighted vulnerabilities in global supply chains, a theme echoed today as rising condom prices, driven by doubled input costs and supply chain disruptions from the Iran war, threaten public health initiatives, notably in Nigeria, where condom distribution has dropped by 55%.

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Karex Raises Prices

Karex will raise condom prices by up to 30% as the Iran war disrupts supplies.
Input costs for synthetic rubber, nitrile, aluminum foil and silicone oil have doubled or risen about 100%.
Freight spikes now make deliveries to Europe and the U.S. take about two months instead of one.
CEO Goh Miah Kiat warned that continued conflict could cause material shortages, halt production and endanger jobs.

1 / 3