Supply shortages of energy and chemical products triggered by the Iran conflict are now spilling into other sectors. Bloomberg reports that Japan is facing its most severe banana shortage in nearly 50 years. Since bananas imported into Japan need to be ripened using ethylene gas, disruptions to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz have tightened Japan's supply of naphtha, which in turn has impacted ethylene production, putting pressure on Japan's banana supply.
According to the report, Japan's naphtha inventories have fallen by about a quarter since the start of the year. Naphtha is a key raw material for producing ethylene, and ethylene is the essential gas needed to ripen bananas. Japan imported approximately one million metric tons of bananas last year, making them one of the country's most important everyday fruits. The secretary-general of the Japan Banana Importers Association noted that banana supplies are currently running smoothly, but rising costs related to petrochemicals — including fuel, packaging, and transportation — are putting pressure on the retail industry.
Farmind, a fruit company that handles about 30% of Japan's banana imports, said that without ethylene ripening, bananas would not soften or develop sweetness and would eventually rot. Akashi admitted that if this trend continues, bananas in Japan may become more expensive. He added that the industry will work hard to avoid a shortage and maintain a stable supply.
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