Condom prices set to surge by 30% because of Donald Trump's war with Iran

Condom prices set to surge by 30% because of Donald Trump's war with IranRising raw material costs - along with higher demand - is expected to lead to higher prices for condoms, the world's biggest producer has warnedCommentsMoneyGraham Hiscott Business and Consumer Editor13:08, 22 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesMalaysian firm Karex - which supplies Durex - has warned of price rises (Image: Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty Images))The boss of the world’s biggest condom maker has warned it will hike prices by up to 30% - or even more - if the Iran war drags on.‌Karex produces over five billion condoms annually and is a supplier to leading brands like Durex and Trojan, as well as the NHS and global aid programmes run by the United Nations.‌The Malaysian firm says it is also seeing a surge in condom demand as rising freight costs and shipping delays have left many of its customers with lower stockpiles than usual.‌Another reason is believed to be couples worried about rising living costs, suggesting the fall-out from the Middle East conflict even have an impact on birth rates.President Donald Trump has been blamed for pushing up the cost of fuel and food because of the US-Israel war with Iran - and now it seems condoms can be added to the list. Critics have branded the spike in household bills as a result of the conflict "Trumption".Figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed UK inflation rose from 3% to 3.3% in March, the first full month of the conflict that erupted at the end of February.‌View 3 ImagesDemand for condoms has jumped because of Middle East war disruption to shipping levels leaving stock levels low(Image: Getty Images)Goh Miah Kiat, its chief executive, said: “The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive... We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers.”The firm joins a growing list of companies, including medical glove makers, bracing for supply chain bottlenecks as the Iran war...