Calbee Ditches Color Packaging as Iran War Chokes Ink Supply

BBC Business reported Tuesday that Calbee packaging across 14 product lines will turn monochrome next month. Japan’s largest snack manufacturer is stripping color from its crisp and prawn cracker bags after the Iran war throttled supplies of a key ink ingredient.

Calbee’s Packaging Shift Takes Effect May 25

The company confirmed the redesign covers some of its most recognizable products. Colorless bags will begin appearing on Japanese shelves from May 25. Calbee linked the move directly to “supply instability affecting raw materials amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.” The firm added that the change is designed to keep product volumes steady for consumers.

Also Read: Iran War Leads to Spike in Saffron Price

Why Naphtha Is the Chokepoint

The root cause sits deep inside the petrochemical supply chain. Naphtha, a refined oil byproduct used in both printing inks and plastics, has become acutely scarce in Asia. Prices for the compound have nearly doubled since fighting broke out on February 28. Before the conflict, roughly 40% of Japan’s naphtha arrived from Middle Eastern suppliers. Japan’s deputy chief cabinet secretary Kei Sato told reporters the government was actively working to ease supply bottlenecks. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in April that Tokyo was diversifying naphtha imports toward suppliers including the United States.

A Widening Toll Across Asian Industries

Calbee is far from alone. Japanese foodmaker Mizkan suspended certain fermented soybean products on May 1 and raised prices on others, citing a polystyrene container shortage tied to the same disruptions. Automakers Toyota and Hyundai have both flagged profit pressure from higher input costs and softer demand. Airlines globally have grounded planes and suspended routes as jet fuel costs climbed sharply. UK fashion retailer Next raised prices by as much as 8% in markets outside Europe last week, attributing the hike to fuel costs and fractured logistics.

Also Read: How the Iran War Impacts Asia’s Food Security

Background: Hormuz Closure and Its Ripple Effects

The Strait of Hormuz was effectively shut to commercial traffic after Iran retaliated against US and Israeli strikes. The waterway handles a critical share of global energy flows, and its closure has cascaded through oil, gas, plastics, and now consumer packaging. Asian economies are disproportionately exposed given their historical dependence on Gulf energy imports. Companies across sectors have warned investors of rising costs, with no clear timeline for a resolution.

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