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Japanese snack maker shifts to black-and-white packaging
Calbee will roll out plain packaging for 14 popular products starting 25 May after ink supplies were disrupted by the Iran conflict, the company announced Tuesday.
Why the change?
The decision stems from shortages of naphtha, a petroleum byproduct essential for producing printing ink. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz in late February halted critical shipments, triggering global supply chain bottlenecks.
Calbee stated the temporary measure aims to "maintain stable product availability" despite raw material instability linked to regional tensions.
Broader economic fallout
Naphtha prices in Asia have nearly doubled since the conflict began, squeezing manufacturers reliant on petrochemical derivatives. Japan, which previously sourced 40% of its naphtha from the Middle East, is particularly vulnerable.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato confirmed the government is working to diversify supply chains, citing expanded imports from the U.S. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had earlier announced efforts to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern sources.
Industry-wide disruptions
The crisis has rippled across sectors. In April, food manufacturer Mizkan suspended sales of some products and raised prices due to shortages of polystyrene packaging. Automakers Toyota and Hyundai reported profit declines from higher material costs and reduced sales.
Airlines globally have grounded planes amid soaring jet fuel prices, while UK retailer Next increased prices by up to 8% in non-European markets due to supply chain and fuel cost pressures.
What's next
Calbee's redesigned packages will first appear in Japanese stores on 25 May. The company did not specify an end date for the measure, citing ongoing volatility in raw material markets.
