The Middle East crisis has caused oil prices in Malaysia to rise, with the original Budi95 quota of 300 liters per month reduced to 200 liters per month since April 1. Now the government is reportedly considering reducing it further to just 150 liters per month. In Japan, a shortage of petroleum products from Middle East has forced food company Calbee to sell its products in black and white packaging.
A shortage of naphtha-based colored ink has caused 14 packages such as potato crackers and granola to now be monochrome. These snack products usually use colored packaging to attract customers.
Japan imports 95% of its crude oil supply and 60% of its naphtha supply from Middle East. Since the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February, naphtha prices have jumped from $550 per ton to $873 per ton.
