Morinaga Seika Co., Ltd. has temporarily suspended the sale of its Hi-Soft Milk and Salt Caramel products in Japan [1, 2].
The suspension highlights how geopolitical instability in the Middle East can disrupt global food supply chains, affecting even long-standing consumer staples in East Asia.
According to the company, the decision follows difficulties in procuring certain raw materials caused by the escalating tension in the Middle East [1, 2]. A spokesperson for Morinaga Seika said the procurement of some raw materials has become difficult due to the tightening situation in the Middle East [3].
Hi-Soft Milk is a particularly significant product for the company. It has been on the market since 1969 [1] and is considered a long-seller that has been loved for more than 50 years [1]. The company did not specify which exact ingredients were affected by the regional conflict or provide a definitive date for when the products will return to shelves.
This disruption affects two of the company's key offerings, the classic Hi-Soft Milk and the Salt Caramel variant, marking a rare pause for products with such deep market penetration in Japan [1, 2].
“The procurement of some raw materials has become difficult due to the tightening situation in the Middle East”
This move demonstrates the vulnerability of the Japanese confectionery industry to external geopolitical shocks. Because many candy ingredients are sourced globally, instability in the Middle East can create immediate shortages that force companies to pull established brands from the market to avoid inconsistent quality or total stockouts.
