Wars usually make headlines through missiles, diplomacy, and oil prices. But sometimes the impact shows up somewhere far more ordinary. Your bedroom. The ongoing conflict in West Asia is putting pressure on the country’s $860 million condom industry, creating shortages of key raw materials and pushing up production costs.
What may sound like a niche manufacturing problem could quickly turn into a larger story about public health, affordability, and access.
It is one of those rare moments when geopolitics slips directly into everyday life. First fuel prices rise, then kitchen essentials get expensive, and now even safe sex products are feeling the strain.
The factory problem that could soon reach the pharmacy counter
India produces more than 400 crore condoms every year. Major players in this industry, such as HLL Lifecare, Mankind Pharma, and Cupid Ltd, operate on a simple strategy of producing in high volumes, selling at low prices, and earning through slim margins. But because of the war, that model is now beginning to crack.
The immediate concern is the shortage of two essential inputs. Silicone oil and ammonia. Silicone oil gives condoms a smooth lubricating coating, while ammonia helps stabilise latex during manufacturing. Both are becoming harder to source and more expensive.
Industry executives say silicone oil is already facing a severe shortage. Ammonia prices, meanwhile, are expected to rise by 40 to 50 per cent. Add the increasing costs of PVC foil, aluminium foil, packaging plastics, and transport, and manufacturers are being squeezed from every direction.
Condoms are deliberately kept affordable so they remain accessible to students, young adults, rural buyers, and low-income households. Even a small increase in retail prices can influence consumer behaviour.
And that is what makes this more than a manufacturing issue. A few rupees more at the counter can become a behavioural and public health issue.
How the West Asia conflict is disrupting Indian production
The connection lies in petrochemicals and shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical trade passages, has been facing severe disruption amid the US–Israel–Iran conflict. This has slowed the movement of key raw materials coming from Gulf countries.
For India, the impact is immediate because nearly 86 per cent of its anhydrous ammonia requirement is met through imports, much of it from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. The moment shipping slows and energy prices rise, the cost of ammonia and petroleum-linked inputs moves up.
That is exactly what the industry is now seeing. Reports suggest ammonia prices have already climbed from $0.48 per kg to $0.68 per kg. Silicone oil has also seen a sharp rise.
There is another concern, too. The government has reportedly discussed diverting petrochemical resources toward higher priority sectors, which could mean up to a 35 per cent cut in allocation for some downstream units. If that happens, condom makers may face an even tighter supply crunch.
Why this is bigger than a business story
Condoms sit at the intersection of family planning, STI prevention, reproductive rights, and affordable healthcare. If prices rise sharply or supplies tighten, the first impact is usually felt by the people least able to absorb it. That is why health experts are concerned.
India already faces a significant unmet need for family planning. NFHS-5 data show that over 9 per cent of women still lack adequate access. If higher prices lead to even a temporary dip in usage, the consequences could show up as unplanned pregnancies, greater financial stress on families, and setbacks in safe sex awareness.
Views expressed by the author are their own.
