Japan sees shortage of plastic bags, trays and gloves, as Iran war-induced naphtha shortage worsens

Japan is experiencing significant shortages of essential plastic products, including bags, trays, and food service gloves, as a crisis in the Middle East disrupts the supply of naphtha, a key ingredient in plastic production. This shortage is particularly acute in the food sector, which accounts for nearly a third of Japan's annual plastic consumption exceeding 8 million tonnes.

Retailers and food service businesses are feeling the pinch. Some supermarkets are encouraging customers to bring their own bags and containers by offering incentives. Bakeries are running out of bags for products like baguettes, and even small plastic trays for produce are becoming scarce. The situation is compounded by Japan's cultural emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness, making consumers hesitant about reusing containers that directly contact food.

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Since last month, we haven’t been able to get any of the little plastic trays we use for some produce, so we just have to make do without them.

Naphtha is derived from crude oil, Japan's primary import source, making the country vulnerable to disruptions in the Middle East. Data from the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association reveals a sharp decline in polyethylene production, used for bags, down 62% in March compared to the previous year. Similar drops are seen in the manufacturing of other plastics.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government has attempted to reassure the public, framing the issue as a temporary supply "bottleneck." However, industry leaders and commentators contradict this assessment, predicting the situation will deteriorate further throughout June. Public opinion polls indicate that these shortages are a major concern for Japanese citizens, highlighting the growing pressure on the government to address the crisis.

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We got some stock in mid-May but our supplier says they don’t know when the next batch is arriving. And the plastic gloves for handling food are in very short supply as well… Japanese people are very particular about hygiene and cleanliness and many don’t like to reuse bags that directly touch food.