Condom warning issued following US-Iran war

A condom warning has been issued following the US-Iran war, as the wider fallout from the conflict continues to spread into parts of daily life that most people probably never expected to be affected.

Over the last few weeks, the war has already triggered growing concern around shipping disruption, shortages, and rising costs, with everything from supermarket supplies to international freight now under increasing pressure. It has created a level of uncertainty that has hit ordinary essentials as well as major industries.

Whilst condoms are not the first product most people would think of when it comes to the economic impact of global conflict, they have now become the latest item caught up in the chaos. That means the warning now being issued is not just about disruption, but also about how much worse prices for more goods will get if the current situation regarding Donald Trump's war in Iran drags on.

Demand has surged as global supply routes remain under pressure (MANAN VATSYAYANA/Contributor/Getty Images)

Malaysia’s Karex Bhd, which is widely described as the world’s top condom producer, has said prices could rise by 20 to 30 per cent, and possibly even more, if supply chain problems linked to the war continue.

The company produces more than five billion condoms every year and supplies major brands, including Durex and Trojan, as well as health systems such as the NHS.

According to Karex, the issue is not down to one single problem. Instead, it is a combination of higher freight costs, shipping delays, and more expensive raw materials, all of which have intensified since the conflict began in late February.

Chief executive Goh Miah Kiat said in an interview with Reuters: “The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive … We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers.”

That warning comes as the company also deals with a surge in demand. Karex said condom demand has risen by about 30 per cent this year, while shipping disruption has left many customers with lower stockpiles than normal.

The materials used to manufacture condoms have also become more expensive, including synthetic rubber and nitrile, along with packaging materials and lubricants such as aluminium foils and silicone oil.

Rising material costs are putting pressure on condom prices worldwide (Bloomberg/Contributor/Getty Images

It’s a knock-on effect that has started showing up across multiple industries tied to the conflict, particularly where global shipping routes and petrochemical supplies are involved.

Karex said shipments to places including Europe and the United States are now taking close to two months to arrive, compared with around a month before.

Goh said: “We’re seeing a lot more condoms actually sitting on vessels that have not arrived at their destination but are highly required.”

That delay is believed to be hitting developing countries especially hard, as products are taking longer to reach places where stock is already limited.

Karex has said it still has enough supplies for the next few months and is looking to increase output to meet demand. Still, the warning underlines just how far the consequences of war can travel.