Ruptly
"A local pharmacy owner in Selangor's Kajang warned that condom prices in Malaysia are set to rise, as global supply chains are disrupted by the ongoing US-Iran conflict. “Every year, the prices increase slightly. I noticed a 15 percent increment in my procurement site. I don't think it's the impact from the raw material price rising at the moment, yet. I think it will be soon,” said pharmacist Lim. “Due to the raw material price increase, I believe that the condom price will increase as well because the current stock that we have is the X stock from the warehouse,” she added. Karex Bhd - the world’s largest condom producer based in Malaysia - announced price hikes of 20 to 30 percent. The company manufactures roughly one in five condoms globally, supplying major brands such as Durex and Trojan, as well as public health programmes. The increases are linked to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route affected by the conflict. Rising oil prices and longer shipping routes have driven up the cost of petroleum-based materials used in condoms, including synthetic rubber and packaging. More than half of Asia’s naphtha supply - a key petrochemical feedstock - comes from the Middle East, with refining margins reportedly surging from around $108 per tonne before the conflict to more than $400. Shipping delays have also intensified cost pressures as vessels reroute to avoid the region. Lim said current retail stock still reflects earlier pricing, but warned that increases are inevitable once new shipments arrive. “The supplier is trying to press the price down,” she added. “But sooner or later, because the raw material price went up too badly, I don't think they are able to sustain through the period of time.” The disruption follows joint US-Israeli military operations against Iran on February 28. Iran responded with strikes on Israeli territory and US interests in the region. Tehran has since restricted transit through the Strait of Hormuz, while the US Navy has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, despite a ceasefire agreement."
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