Calbee Switches to Monochrome Packaging Amid Iran-War Ink Shortage

Starting 25 May, Calbee Inc. will sell 14 of its snack lines—including its flagship lightly salted potato chips, sea-weed-flavoured chips, Kappa Ebisen shrimp sticks and Frugra granola—in black-and-white wrappers. The redesign limits ink to two colours and is described as temporary; product formulation and quality remain unchanged.

LA Times

The United States and Israel’s February attacks on Iran triggered a de-facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that transports roughly one-fifth of global oil. Japan imports more than 90 % of its oil and about 40 % of naphtha—a petroleum-derived solvent essential for commercial printing inks. Disruptions to naphtha supplies have constrained the production of coloured inks, prompting Calbee to alter its packaging.

The Guardian

• Calbee Inc. – Tokyo-based snack giant founded in Hiroshima in 1949, employing over 5,000 workers and holding roughly 70 % of Japan’s potato-chip market.

New York Times

• Japanese Government – Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry overseeing strategic oil reserves and import diversification.

Iran war makes Japanese crisp packs go colorless

• Japan Printing Ink Makers Association – Represented by Managing Director Shinichi Takei, monitoring ink-material availability.

The Guardian

• Late Feb 2026 – US-Israel strikes on Iran begin; Strait of Hormuz effectively closed.

Calbee changes crisp packaging colour due to Iran war material shortages

• Mar 2026 – Calbee announces an ambitious growth strategy; unrelated snack-maker panic over heavy-oil shortages occurs.

Calbee changes crisp packaging colour due to Iran war material shortages

• 12 May 2026 – Calbee issues a statement confirming the grayscale rollout for 14 products on 25 May.

Calbee changes crisp packaging colour due to Iran war material shortages

• 13 May 2026 – Government spokesperson reiterates no immediate naphtha-ink shortages; imports from non-Middle-East sources have tripled in May.

Iran war makes Japanese crisp packs go colorless

• 13 May 2026 – Calbee’s share price falls more than 1 % following the announcement.

The Guardian

• 14 product lines affected, covering chips, shrimp sticks and granola.

Iran war makes Japanese crisp packs go colorless

• Japan’s naphtha imports from the Middle East accounted for ~40 % pre-war; imports from other regions tripled in May.

Iran war makes Japanese crisp packs go colorless

• Calbee recorded ¥322.5 bn ($2.0 bn) in sales for 2025.

The Guardian

• Strategic oil reserves covered 254 days of demand before falling to 205 days by 8 May.

The Independent

The visual cue of colour is central to Japanese consumer purchasing; the shift may force shoppers to rely on text labels, potentially affecting sales velocity. The move also signals broader industrial pressure on petrochemical-derived inputs, foreshadowing similar austerity measures in sectors such as automotive, construction and consumer goods.

CNN

Calbee emphasized that the packaging change is a precaution to “maintain a stable supply of products” and will not affect food safety or quality. The company pledged to “respond flexibly and promptly to changes in its operating environment, including geopolitical risks.”

Calbee changes crisp packaging colour due to Iran war material shortages

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato reported that “adequate supplies of the naphtha ink ingredient have been secured for important functions in Japan,” noting that imports from routes other than the Strait of Hormuz have been increased and that no immediate supply disruptions have been reported.

The Guardian

Calbee attributes the packaging alteration to a shortage of naphtha-based ink ingredients, while the government asserts that “no immediate supply disruption” has been observed and that sufficient naphtha is available. The discrepancy between corporate-cited material scarcity and official assurances of supply adequacy remains unresolved.

The Guardian

• “This measure is intended to help maintain a stable supply of products.” — Calbee spokesperson, statement

CNN

• “received no reports of immediate supply issues regarding printing ink or naphtha, and we recognize that the necessary volume for Japan as a whole is being secured.” — Kei Sato, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary

CNN

• “Calbee will continue to respond flexibly and promptly to changes in its operating environment, including geopolitical risks, and remains committed to maintaining a stable supply of safe, high-quality products,” — Calbee statement

LA Times

• “We believe Calbee’s decision to limit its packaging to two colours reflects an effort to conserve resources in anticipation of future conditions,” — Shinichi Takei, Managing Director, Japan Printing Ink Makers Association

The Independent

• “We are working with major corporations to ensure naphtha is imported by routes other than through the strait of Hormuz.” — Kei Sato, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary

The Independent

The government has scheduled a fact-finding hearing on naphtha supplies, and ministries will continue monitoring import routes and stock levels. Calbee indicated ongoing dialogue with the Farm Ministry and will reassess packaging once ink-material stability improves.

The Guardian