Condom prices in the UK could rise by as much as 30% as a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict in Iran, industry figures show. The world’s largest condom manufacturer, Karex, which supplies major brands such as Durex and Trojan as well as the NHS, announced in April that it would need to increase prices by up to 30%. A pack currently costing £10 could reach £13 by the end of 2026, according to the company.
Condoms UK, an online retailer, has moved to freeze prices on selected ranges until 30 June 2026 using existing stock. But a spokesperson warned the impact on shoppers was inevitable. “What’s happening at manufacturing level will hit UK shoppers – it’s just a matter of when,” they said. “Typically, these kinds of increases take three to six months to show up on shelves. Behind the scenes, the category is already shifting. Lead times are longer, freight costs are up, and suppliers are signalling further increases. We expect value ranges to rise first, while bigger brands may hold prices slightly longer.”
Low usage, high stakes
The price hike comes at a time when condom use in Britain is already patchy. According to Durex, only 15% of Britons bought condoms in 2023, while 41% used no form of contraception at all. Despite this, an estimated 10.5 million people in the UK still rely on condoms to protect their sexual health. Dr Nikki Ramskill, a GP and founder of The Female Health Doctor Clinic, said the rising cost could have “real public health consequences”.
“This rise in cost may seem relatively small but for many people, particularly younger individuals or those on lower incomes, it can absolutely act as a barrier,” she said. “When contraception becomes less accessible, even in subtle ways, behaviour changes.” Dr Ramskill, who works with the platform Doctify, noted that condom use is “already inconsistent”, especially outside long-term relationships. “If fewer people are using condoms because of cost, we could see a knock-on effect with rising STI rates,” she added.
Sexually transmitted infections are already on the rise in parts of the UK. In Scotland, the number of infections has more than doubled since 2017, with one in every 200 people under 25 now contracting gonorrhoea. Campaigns such as “Play It Safe” in Blackburn and Darwen have sought to normalise regular condom use and STI testing, but public health experts warn that higher prices could undermine these efforts.
How the Iran war drives up costs
The root cause of the price rise lies in the disruption to global supply chains caused by the conflict in Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which around a quarter of the world’s crude oil shipments pass daily, has seen shipping and energy flows severely strained. This has directly affected the procurement of petrochemical feedstocks needed to manufacture condoms and their packaging.
Among the raw materials hit are synthetic rubber and nitrile, used in the condoms themselves, as well as aluminium foils and silicone oil used in packaging and lubrication. The disruption has also squeezed supplies of ammonia, which is used to preserve latex during production. The knock-on effect has been sharp cost increases across the board. Pasante, a condom manufacturer, has reported that non-latex materials have risen by 100%, latex by 30%, and packaging and logistics by 20%. Industry figures show silicone oil alone has jumped around 30%, nitrile latex prices have doubled, and natural rubber has climbed by a third since January.
The broader petrochemical market is also feeling the strain, with reduced operating rates, supply allocation and production uncertainty cascading down to polymer suppliers. Karex, which produces more than 5 billion condoms annually, said the cumulative effect of these disruptions left it with no choice but to raise prices.
Free condoms and cheaper alternatives
Condoms are available free of charge and confidentially on the NHS from sexual health clinics, some GP surgeries and participating pharmacies. Various C-Card schemes operate across the UK, offering free condoms to young people typically aged 13 to 24 who register, with some areas now allowing collection without registration. Condoms can also be ordered online for discreet home delivery. However, these services are not always as convenient as high-street retailers such as Boots and Superdrug, which have longer opening hours and more accessible locations.
For those buying condoms in shops, the Condoms UK spokesperson advised avoiding small convenience packs sold at the till. “The biggest mistake people make is buying small packs at the till, where the price per condom is far higher,” they said. “You’ll want to buy larger packs of 24 to 36 instead.” They also cautioned against panic buying, noting that condoms have a long shelf life and stockpiling is unnecessary given the current price freeze on selected ranges.