• Japanese snack giant Calbee will temporarily switch to black-and-white packaging for 14 products due to a shortage of naphtha, an ink ingredient, caused by the Iran war.
  • Oil and gas prices have surged since the conflict started on February 28, and naphtha prices in Asia have nearly doubled.
  • Japan imported about 40% of its naphtha from the Middle East before the war; the government is working to stabilize supply.
  • Asian countries are particularly affected by shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz due to reliance on Middle Eastern energy.
  • Earlier, Japanese foodmaker Mizkan suspended sales of some products due to a shortage of polystyrene containers.

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