Overview
- Karex, which makes about five billion condoms a year, said Tuesday it is resetting prices with most customers and will phase in the increases over the coming months.
- The company reports sharp cost spikes since late February after fighting in Iran choked petrochemical flows through the Strait of Hormuz, with silicone oil up about 30%, nitrile latex roughly doubled, and natural rubber up by about one-third since January.
- Shipping to Europe and the United States now takes nearly two months instead of one, and many consignments remain stuck at sea as demand has risen.
- Following Wednesday’s warning from Durex owner Reckitt, the conflict could add £130–150 million to its 2026 production costs, which may feed through to retail prices.
- Karex supplies major brands and public health buyers including the UK NHS and UN programs, and it cautions that prolonged disruption could limit access in lower‑income countries even as global demand is up roughly 30%.