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- Iran War Halts Raw Material Supply; Ammonia, Silicon Oil Shortage After Oil & Gas
New Delhi28 minutes ago
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The price of condoms in the country may increase by 50% because the supply chain has been broken due to the ongoing war between America and Iran. Due to this, after oil and gas, there is now a shortage of raw materials used in making condoms.
According to Mint report, condom manufacturing giants like HLL Lifecare, Mankind Pharma and Cupid Limited are facing shortage of ammonia and silicone oil.
In the report, industry experts claimed that there is an environment of uncertainty in the market due to increase in input costs and prices may increase by 40 to 50%.
India is 86% dependent on imports for ammonia
India’s condom market is worth about 1.7 billion dollars (about Rs 14 thousand crores). For ‘anhydrous ammonia’ required in condom manufacturing, India is 86% dependent on imports, which mainly comes from Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman.
The supply has come to a standstill due to the war in the Hormuz Route affecting the movement of ships. Ammonia is used to prevent latex (rubber) from setting and preserving it. Without this, raw materials cannot be used in condom making machines.
Silicone oil and packaging material also expensive
The prices of silicone oil, used as a lubricant in condom manufacturing, have increased. It mainly comes from China, but its supply chain is linked to refinery processes and global logistics.
According to Mint, a senior executive of a leading company said that along with raw materials, the prices of PVC foil, aluminum foil and other chemicals are also volatile. There are delays in production and fulfillment of orders due to non-availability of goods from global suppliers.
Poor section and family planning mission will be affected
According to Rajiv Jayadevan, former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), even a minor increase in condom prices affects the economically weaker section of the society. If prices increase, use of contraceptives may decrease.
This will have a direct impact on unwanted pregnancies, maternal mortality and infant mortality. Additionally, cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) may also increase. The Government of India aims to meet the demand for modern contraceptive methods by 75% by 2030, but this shortage may deal a blow to the goals of the National Family Planning Programme.
Companies stocking raw materials
When Mankind Pharma, the manufacturer of Manforce, Reckitt Benckiser, the manufacturer of Durex, and Godrej Consumer Products, the owner of the Kama Sutra brand, were contacted regarding this crisis, they refused to comment at this time.
However, industry sources say that due to fear of prolonging the war, many big suppliers and manufacturers have started accumulating stocks of raw materials. Due to this ‘holding’ the input cost in the market has increased further. If the government does not intervene in the coming days, some brands of condoms may disappear from the market.
Dry fruits costlier by 50% and paracetamol by 47% in Delhi
Due to the ongoing conflict between America, Israel and Iran, dye fruits have become costlier by up to 50% in Delhi markets. The price of paracetamol raw material has also increased by 47%. At the same time, the demand for ready-to-eat meals and packed food on e-commerce platforms like Amazon has increased by more than 15%.
Dry fruits are expensive: supply of almonds, pistachios and dates stopped
In Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest wholesale market, the prices of dry fruits and herbs have increased by 20% to 50%. Traders say that except cashew nuts, most of the dry fruits come from the Middle East, the supply of which is at a standstill.
Mathematics of prices: The prices of pistachios, plums, figs and Mamra almonds coming from Iran have increased by 30-40%.
Impact on festivals: Demand for dates has increased in the market, but due to limited stock, prices are increasing.
Medicines are also expensive: According to the traders of Khari Baoli, the supply of herbs used in medicines has also stopped. At the same time, the price of raw material of Paracetamol has increased by 47%.
Changed trend: Demand for ready-to-eat and packaged food increased by 15%
Due to shortage of cooking gas in homes, people are now preferring food which takes less time to cook or which can be eaten immediately. The demand for ready-to-eat or ultra-processed foods like instant noodles, packaged meals and snacks has increased by more than 15% on e-commerce platform Amazon India.
Demand even in small cities: This trend is not limited to just metro cities like Delhi-Mumbai, but even in tier-2 cities like Sonipat and Panaji, people are ordering ready-to-eat food.
Quick Commerce: Sales of ready-to-eat food on platforms like Amazon Now have increased by 20% month-on-month.
Threat to street food vendors: Of the approximately 50,000 street food vendors in Delhi, 20-30% are on the verge of closure due to shortage of gas and rising costs.
Why did such circumstances arise?
Iran was attacked by America and Israel on 28 February 2026. The two countries together carried out hundreds of airstrikes on several Iranian military bases, missile sites, nuclear facilities and leadership. Many high officials including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were killed in these attacks. America named it Operation Epic Fury.
This war led to tension and supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. 80-85% of India’s LPG is imported from here. India is the second largest LPG importer in the world and more than 60% of LPG comes from outside.
Due to this, there was a situation like LPG shortage in India, but the Government of India continuously appealed to the people to avoid rumours. The government said that there is no shortage of LPG and oil in the country.
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