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▼ Hormuz Crisis Takes A Bite Out Of Japan’s Potato Chips Supply
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Fans of Wasabeef potato chips may have to brace themselves for emptier shelves.
Japanese snack maker Yamayoshi Seika announced that it has suspended production of several products due to difficulties securing fuel, forcing it to halt factory operations.
The snack maker said it has stopped producing six items — including its flagship wasabi and beef-flavored potato chips — as heavy oil used in manufacturing became difficult to procure, citing disruptions linked to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The company has not set a timeline for resuming production.
Yamayoshi also temporarily closed its direct sales store and online shop from Monday and has stopped accepting new orders. The company said orders already placed will be fulfilled.
Retail availability will be limited to existing inventories at supermarkets and other outlets.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and trouble this will cause our customers and business partners,” the company said in a notice, adding it is working to secure fuel and resume operations as soon as possible.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been effectively blocked by Iran amid a war with the U.S. and Israel. The chokepoint handles a significant share of global crude exports, and any disruption can quickly tighten fuel supply.
For countries such as Japan that are heavily dependent on imports, that can translate to unexpected knock-on effects — including, as evidenced in this case, on the snack aisle.
Yamayoshi’s production halt is one of the first tangible impacts of the oil shock on Japanese consumers.
Its products’ sudden unavailability sparked a wave of online dismay among fans of the potato chips on social media, with many netizens expressing concern about other daily goods that might disappear off the shelves as well.
Japanese snack maker Yamayoshi Seika announced that it has suspended production of several products due to difficulties securing fuel, forcing it to halt factory operations.
The snack maker said it has stopped producing six items — including its flagship wasabi and beef-flavored potato chips — as heavy oil used in manufacturing became difficult to procure, citing disruptions linked to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The company has not set a timeline for resuming production.
Yamayoshi also temporarily closed its direct sales store and online shop from Monday and has stopped accepting new orders. The company said orders already placed will be fulfilled.
Retail availability will be limited to existing inventories at supermarkets and other outlets.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and trouble this will cause our customers and business partners,” the company said in a notice, adding it is working to secure fuel and resume operations as soon as possible.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been effectively blocked by Iran amid a war with the U.S. and Israel. The chokepoint handles a significant share of global crude exports, and any disruption can quickly tighten fuel supply.
For countries such as Japan that are heavily dependent on imports, that can translate to unexpected knock-on effects — including, as evidenced in this case, on the snack aisle.
Yamayoshi’s production halt is one of the first tangible impacts of the oil shock on Japanese consumers.
Its products’ sudden unavailability sparked a wave of online dismay among fans of the potato chips on social media, with many netizens expressing concern about other daily goods that might disappear off the shelves as well.
- 18/3 15:50
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