Japan’s top potato chip maker, Calbee, has swapped its iconic orange-and-yellow packaging for black-and-white bags due to ink shortages linked to the Iran war. The move reflects broader supply chain disruptions caused by escalating Middle East tensions, which have affected naphtha—a key oil byproduct used in printing inks. Calbee isn’t alone; other Japanese food companies , like Itoham Yonekyu Holdings, are also considering similar measures.

Middle East Conflicts Ripple Through Global Supply Chains

The Iran war has triggered a cascaade of supply chain issues, from oil price spikes to shortages of critical materials like naphtha.. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a vital oil transit route—has exacerbated these problems,forcing companies worldwide to adapt. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has assured that the country’s naphtha-derived chemical supplies will last through the year, but the broader economic impact remains uncertain.

This isn’t the first time geopolitical tensions have disrupted global trade. Past conflicts, such as the 2019 U .S.-China trade war, also led to supply chain bottlenecks. However, the current crisis highlights how interconnected modern economies are, with disruptions in one region quickly affecting industries thousands of miles away.

Beyond Packaging: A Domino Effect on Food and Industry

The ink shortage is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The Iran war has also threatened CO2 supplies, which are critical for food preservation, carbonated drinks, and even medical applications. Britain’s supermarkets, for example, could face shortages of chicken and pork due to CO2-related disruptions. Similarly, Japan’s food industry may see reduced variety in cold-freezer items this summer.

CO2 shortages could also impact sectors beyond food, including cosmetics, electronics, and respiratory care. the situation underscores the vulnerability of global supply chains to geopolitical shocks, particularly in regions like the Middle East, which are central to energy and raw material flows.

What’s Still Unclear About the Crisis

While Japan’s government has downplayed immediate risks, several questions remain unanswered. how long will the ink shortage last, and will other industries face similar disruptions? Will the conflict in the Middle East escalate further, worsening supply chain issues? Additionally, the source only mentions Calbee and Itoham Yonekyu Holdings—are other Japanese companies also grappling with these challenges?

The report also doesn’t specify how consumers are reacting to the packaging change.. Will shoppers accept the less vibrant packaging,or will it affect sales? These uncertainties highlight the need for more transparency from both companies and governments as the situation evolves.