 |
The shortage of ethylene supply is causing Japan to gradually face a banana shortage. Photo: Nikkei Asia . |
Japan ships bananas while they are still green, then places them in ethylene gas chambers to stimulate ripening before distributing them to supermarket shelves. However, the supply of ethylene, a gas produced from naphtha (a petroleum product), is becoming scarce in the country, according to Bloomberg.
Specifically, after harvesting, bananas need to be ripened using ethylene gas to stimulate the ripening process. Without this treatment, the fruit will not soften and develop its characteristic sweetness before gradually spoiling. Farmind Corporation, which processes about 30% of Japan's imported bananas, revealed that avocados and kiwis are also ripened using ethylene, but the amount of gas used is much lower.
Last year, Japan imported approximately 1 million tons of bananas, making this fruit one of the nation's most essential food items. Japan's naphtha stocks have fallen by about 25% year-to-date due to continued disruptions to shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, which are blocking about 20% of global oil supplies. According to Eiji Akashi, Secretary-General of the Japan Banana Importers Association, this is the most severe shortage in 50 years.
"Prices may go up, but we are doing everything we can to avoid shortages. The entire banana industry is making every effort to maintain a stable supply," said Akashi.
Currently, bananas are still being delivered to stores, and some importers have secured enough ethylene for the next 2-3 months. However, retailers are under pressure to pass on the increased costs associated with petrochemicals such as fuel, packaging, and transportation to consumers.
Japanese government data indicates that the average Japanese household spent approximately 5,200 yen ( US$33 ) on bananas in 2025. Retail prices for bananas in Tokyo rose 4.4% last year and have increased by more than 30% since 2022.
The naphtha shortage isn't limited to the banana industry; it's spreading to many other sectors. Snack food manufacturer Calbee has had to switch to black and white packaging for its potato chips and other products due to a decline in ink supply. These inks typically use synthetic resins derived from naphtha.
 |
The naphtha shortage has caused a decline in the supply of printing ink for the snack food company Calbee. Photo: Calbee. |
Japan's vulnerability to gas supply disruptions stems from its virtually no domestic oil reserves and the lack of international pipelines that would reduce its reliance on sea transport. A disruption to the Strait of Hormuz has had ripple effects on the nation's specialized petrochemical supply chain, transforming a distant geopolitical conflict into direct pressure on essential everyday consumer goods.
Currently, the Japanese government is working to reassure businesses and the public. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan still has sufficient naphtha supplies to meet domestic demand until next year.
The current shortage is also forcing fruit processing businesses to seek alternative sources of ethylene. Catalytic Generators, a Virginia-based company that manufactures ethylene generators using corn and other biofuels instead of petrochemicals, has begun exporting its machinery to Japan to support businesses struggling to secure supplies. The company is also seeking distribution partners in Japan.
Meanwhile, Farmind Corporation warned that its ethylene inventory has been dwindling and the company is actively seeking new suppliers both domestically and internationally. According to a Farmind representative, some related costs have increased nearly tenfold. "If this situation continues, bananas could disappear from Japanese family dinner tables," the company representative added.
Source: https://znews.vn/nhat-ban-co-nguy-co-thieu-chuoi-post1656180.html
Comment (0)