Japanese snack manufacturers are printing product packaging in black-and-white after a war in Iran disrupted the supply of colored ink pigments [1, 2, 3].

This shift highlights the fragility of global supply chains and how geopolitical instability in one region can immediately impact consumer goods in another. The loss of a single raw material has forced major brands to abandon their established visual identities to keep products on shelves.

Companies including Calbee have been affected by the shortage [1, 2, 3]. The manufacturers rely on a specific pigment sourced from Iran to produce the vibrant colors typically found on snack packets [1, 2, 3]. Because the ongoing conflict has depleted the available supply of this ingredient, the companies have transitioned to monochrome printing [1, 2, 3].

Industry observers said the change is a temporary measure to ensure that production does not halt entirely. While the snacks inside the packages remain unchanged, the exterior appearance is a stark departure from the colorful branding usually associated with the Japanese snack market [1, 2, 3].

Supply chain disruptions of this nature often lead to broader market volatility. When a primary source of a specialized chemical or pigment is removed from the market, manufacturers must either find an alternative supplier or alter their production process, a challenge that is currently playing out across the Japanese food industry [1, 2, 3].

“Japanese snack manufacturers are printing product packaging in black-and-white”

The transition to black-and-white packaging serves as a visible indicator of 'just-in-time' supply chain vulnerabilities. It demonstrates that even non-essential aesthetic elements, such as food packaging ink, are susceptible to geopolitical shocks, potentially signaling future price increases or product shortages if alternative pigment sources are not secured.