Iran War Ink Shortage Turns Japanese Snack Packaging Black and White

Calbee, Japan’s largest snack manufacturer, will temporarily transition the packaging of 14 of its products to a black-and-white design. The company stated the move is a response to disruptions in the supply of a raw material used in colored ink, caused by the ongoing war in Iran.

The new packaging for the affected products, which include crisps and prawn crackers, is scheduled to begin appearing in Japanese retail stores on May 25.

The supply chain instability is linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that Iran effectively shut down in retaliation for strikes conducted by the United States, and Israel.

The conflict has severely impacted the availability of naphtha, a byproduct of oil refining essential for the production of both ink and plastics. Prices for naphtha in Asia have nearly doubled since the conflict began on February 28.

Japan’s reliance on the Middle East for this material is substantial. Deputy chief cabinet secretary Kei Sato told reporters on Tuesday that approximately 40% of Japan’s naphtha was imported from the Middle East prior to the outbreak of the war.

Calbee described the design change in a statement as a response to supply instability affecting raw materials amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The company further noted that this measure is intended to help maintain a stable supply of products.

The Japanese government is currently working to resolve supply imbalances and address bottlenecks. In April, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan is broadening its naphtha supply to include more sources outside of the Middle East, including the United States.

The disruptions impacting Calbee are part of a wider trend of raw material shortages. In recent weeks, companies worldwide have warned that the instability of supplies for fuel, plastics, and helium is increasing operational costs for businesses.