The escalating conflict in the Middle East is now affecting intimate aspects of daily life. According to India’s NDTV and other reports, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have caused severe shortages of key raw materials for condom production, threatening supply and driving up prices in India with potential ripple effects reaching Sri Lanka.
India, one of the world’s largest condom manufacturers, relies heavily on imports for anhydrous ammonia (used to stabilise latex) and silicone oil (used as a lubricant). Approximately 86% of the ammonia comes from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. With shipping routes under threat due to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran tensions, the cost of these ingredients has surged by 40–50%.
Major manufacturers including HLL Lifecare, Mankind Pharma and Cupid Ltd. are already reporting production challenges. Retail prices of condoms in India could rise by up to 50% if the disruptions continue, according to industry sources.
The issue highlights how the West Asia crisis, which has already impacted oil, fertilisers and medicines, is now extending into everyday consumer goods — even reaching “the bedroom,” as some reports vividly describe.
For Sri Lanka, which depends significantly on imported contraceptives to support national family planning programmes, the situation raises concerns about potential cost increases and supply delays. Health authorities and importers in Colombo are closely monitoring developments, though no official alerts have been issued yet.
Public health experts emphasise the need to ensure affordable access to condoms to prevent unintended pregnancies and support reproductive health.
