LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Tensions in West Asia’s geopolitics is reshaping conversations around global reproductive health, with India’s booming condom industry now facing supply shocks that could influence access, affordability, and public health outcomes worldwide.
The ongoing conflict has put a strain on India’s $860 million condom manufacturing sector, one of the largest contributors to barrier contraceptive health supplies.
Widely regarded as a backbone of family planning efforts, India produces more than 400 crore condoms annually, an equivalent of 4 billion, supplying both domestic and international markets. However, major players including HLL Lifecare Ltd, Mankind Pharma Ltd, and Cupid Ltd are now grappling with rising costs and tightening raw material supplies.
At the heart of the disruption are key petrochemical inputs critical to condom production. Silicone oil, used as a lubricant and ammonia essential for stabilizing latex have both been affected.
While silicone oil is currently scarce, ammonia prices are projected to surge by 40 to 50 percent, creating uncertainty across the manufacturing chain.
According to a report by The Indian Express, “Supply constraints and price volatility in key inputs, such as PVC foil, aluminium foil, and packaging materials, have impacted production and order execution.” An industry official told the agency that, “A price increase of 40–50 percent is expected for ammonia, which is essential for condom production. There has been a significant rise in the price of silicone oil, leading to uncertainty in the market.”
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In addition to raw materials, rising packaging costs and logistical bottlenecks are compounding the challenge, pushing manufacturers to reassess pricing and output strategies.
Meanwhile, Jatish N Sheth of the Karnataka Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers Association acknowledged the broader implications beyond a single industry.
He pointed to a wider ripple effect across pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturing sectors.
“We are definitely impacted, but we need to assess the extent and depth of the impact on the industry,” he noted.
Further complicating the outlook, the Indian government has begun prioritizing resource allocation. During a March 11 inter-ministerial briefing, officials indicated that petrochemical units could face a 35 percent reduction in resources, an adjustment likely to tighten supply even further.
For global audiences, condoms remain one of the most widely used tools for preventing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, making any disruption in supply a potential concern for public health systems worldwide.
