The ongoing conflict involving Iran could drive up the global cost of condoms, with the chief executive of the world’s largest condom manufacturer warning that prices may rise by 20% to 30% if supply chain disruptions continue.

According to Reuters, Karex Chief Executive Officer Goh Miah Kiat said the company may be forced to pass rising costs on to customers as global trade routes remain under pressure.

“The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive,” Goh told Reuters. “We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers.”

Karex Berhad, based in Malaysia, is the world’s largest condom producer and manufactures brands including ONE, Trustex, Carex and Pasante. The company can produce more than five billion condoms annually and exports to over 130 countries.

Goh said the conflict has disrupted access to key raw materials and caused shipping delays, leaving urgently needed products stranded in transit.

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

Industry analysts say the war has affected not only oil and gas markets but also petrochemical feedstocks used in manufacturing. Materials such as naphtha, silicon oil and ammonia are key components in condom production and packaging.

Experts note that many Asian manufacturers rely heavily on Middle Eastern raw materials, raising the likelihood of broader price increases if the disruptions persist.

Karex said it currently has sufficient supply for the next few months, but warned that prolonged instability could place further pressure on production and global prices. (With inputs from international media)