Calbee will strip colour from 14 flagship products, including Potato Chips, Kappa Ebisen and Frugra cereals, as supply shortages triggered by conflict around the Strait of Hormuz disrupt access to packaging materials.
From May 25, the Japanese snack giant will temporarily switch to monochrome packaging amid shortages of naphtha, a key raw material used in printing ink, plastics and packaging containers.
“Calbee will continue to respond flexibly and promptly to changes in its operating environment, including geopolitical risks, and remains committed to maintaining a stable supply of safe, high-quality products,” the company said in a statement. “The change applies only to a limited number of products and will not affect product quality.”
Oil and gas prices have surged since conflict around the Strait of Hormuz escalated on February 28, disrupting shipments through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Naphtha prices in Asia have nearly doubled since then, squeezing manufacturers across the region.
Japan’s deputy chief cabinet secretary Kei Sato said the government was working to “stabilise and resolve any supply imbalances and bottlenecks”, as businesses grapple with rising costs and material shortages. Before the conflict, roughly 40% of Japan’s naphtha imports came from the Middle East.
The disruption is already rippling across Japanese industry. In April, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan was expanding naphtha sourcing beyond the Middle East, including from the US.
Japanese foodmaker Mizkan suspended sales of several natto products last month due to shortages of polystyrene containers, while snack maker Yamayoshi Seika halted multiple product lines in March.
According to an April survey by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 44.1% of Japanese consumer goods firms said they had already been affected by naphtha supply disruptions, with many planning to scale back production or redesign packaging. Packaging suppliers, including Mitsubishi Chemical, DIC and Artience, have also raised prices sharply.
Beyond FMCG, companies including Toyota and Hyundai have warned of pressure on profits from higher material costs and slowing sales, while housing and industrial firms such as Toto, Lixil and Panasonic have reported delays linked to shortages of adhesives and coatings.
