The cost of condom is going up by 30%, according to the World’s largest condom firm, Karex. Public health experts say this rise could lead to a higher prevalence of unsafe sex, increased STI rates, and unintended pregnancies globally. It could also make sex more expensive.
The condom firm, Karex, claimed that prices could even increase beyond 30% if the Iran-U.S conflict continues to drive supply chain disruptions, high manufacturing costs, and economic crises.
The chief executive of Malaysian-based Karex, Goh Miah Kiat, said in an interview with Reuters that the costs of producing condoms have sharply increased since the war started.
“Karex produces more than five billion condoms a year and supplies leading global brands like Durex and Trojan, as well as state health systems like the UK’s NHS.”
The global shock due to the disruption of oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz is impacting production costs. Karex depends on materials made from oil for production, including ammonia, which is used to preserve latex and silicone-based lubricants.
According to Karex’s CEO Goh, global demand for condoms has increased by about 30% in 2026, due to rising freight costs and delays to shipping.
“In bad times, the need to use condoms is even more because you’re uncertain with your future, whether you’d still have a job next year,” Goh told Bloomberg. “If you have a baby right now, you’ll have one more mouth to feed,” he added.
