Calbee has launched potato chip packaging in only two colors, black and white, following a critical shortage of naphtha [1].
This shift highlights the broadening impact of the "naphtha shock," where instability in Middle East geopolitics is disrupting the production of essential industrial materials. The shortage affects not only food packaging, but also the medical and housing sectors [2].
Black-and-white potato chip bags first appeared at a convenience store in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on May 29 at 5:30 p.m. [3]. The company began the transition during the week of May 25 [4]. A Calbee spokesperson said, "Due to the naphtha supply shortage, we are reducing the number of colors for printing ink from the conventional multi-color to two colors" [5].
The shortage of naphtha, a primary feedstock for plastics and chemicals, has also driven up logistics and material costs for agricultural producers. In Fukushima Prefecture, fruit orchard owners are reporting significant price increases for the packaging used to sell cherries [3].
Owners of the Marue Kanko and Hattori Sakae orchards said the price of cherry packs would rise by 20% to 30% starting around June [3]. The price hike is a direct result of the increased cost of the plastic containers and the logistical pressures caused by the broader naphtha crisis [6].
While industrial and agricultural sectors struggle with these costs, diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region continue. A U.S. government official said on May 29 that negotiators from the U.S. and Iran reached a provisional agreement to extend a ceasefire for 60 days to discuss nuclear issues [7]. However, Iranian sources said that a final decision on the memorandum has not been made [8].
“"Due to the naphtha supply shortage, we are reducing the number of colors for printing ink from the conventional multi-color to two colors"”
The transition to monochromatic packaging by a major brand like Calbee serves as a visible indicator of systemic supply chain vulnerability. Because naphtha is a foundational component for a vast array of petrochemical products, the 'naphtha shock' demonstrates how geopolitical instability in the Middle East can rapidly translate into tangible consumer changes, from the visual appearance of snacks to the retail price of seasonal produce.
