The world’s largest condom producer, Malaysia-based Karex, has announced plans to increase prices by 20 to 30 per cent, with further rises possible as the Middle East crisis continues. The move comes as global inflation pushes up costs across the board, with condoms among the goods included in the Consumer Prices Index.
Reckitt Benckiser, the consumer goods giant behind Durex, has reported an estimated £150 million increase in its input costs for the year, which will be passed on to consumers. The company’s shares fell sharply on the news.
The price surge is driven by soaring oil costs, which have increased the price of synthetic rubber, nitrile latex, and natural rubber used in condom production. Oil byproducts such as naphtha and ammonia, critical for manufacturing and preserving latex, have also become more expensive and scarce. Lubricants and packaging materials like aluminium foil have added to the pressure.
Further compounding the issue, cuts to foreign aid budgets by the US and UK have depleted global stockpiles of condoms in developing countries, leading to shortages and higher demand. Young people, who face high housing costs and low wages, are expected to be hit hardest, potentially leading to riskier sexual behaviour.
Health experts warn that the price rises could lead to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, placing additional strain on the NHS. There are no easy solutions, with hopes resting on a swift resolution to global conflicts.
