Calbee switches to monochrome packaging as Iran conflict hits ink supplies

Japanese snack maker Calbee will temporarily use black-and-white packaging for some products as disruptions linked to the Iran conflict hit supplies of materials used in printing ink.

The company said redesigned packs for 14 products, including crisps and prawn crackers, will enter stores in Japan from May 25, Caliber.Az reports, citing British media.

It cited “supply instability affecting raw materials amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East” and said the move aims to maintain stable production.

The disruption comes as tensions in the region have affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and petrochemicals, pushing up energy and feedstock costs such as naphtha, widely used in plastics and inks.

Naphtha prices in Asia have nearly doubled since the escalation of the conflict, raising costs for manufacturers across the region. Japan has historically relied on the Middle East for a large share of its supply.

Japan’s deputy chief cabinet secretary Kei Sato said about 40% of national naphtha imports previously came from the Middle East, adding that the government is working to stabilise supply chains.

Other firms have also been affected. Mizkan has halted some product sales due to packaging shortages, while automakers including Toyota and Hyundai report cost pressures linked to higher input prices.

UK retailer Next plc has also raised prices in some markets, citing higher fuel costs and supply disruptions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev