Japan Faces Banana Shortage Due to Ethylene Supply Crisis

Japan is facing a potential banana shortage due to a lack of ethylene, a gas essential for ripening, with the disruption linked to the Middle East conflict.

Tue Jun 02 2026

Japan's Banana Supply Chain Crisis

Japan may face a banana shortage, the latest disruption linked to the Middle East conflict. The country imports bananas green and ripens them in rooms filled with ethylene gas before they reach stores. Japan imported about 1 million tonnes of bananas last year, making it one of the country's most important fruits. However, supplies of the naphtha-derived gas are running low in an economy that imports over 90 per cent of its crude oil.

Middle East Conflict Impacts Banana Supply

The potential banana shortage is a ripple effect of the Middle East conflict. The conflict has disrupted oil supply chains, impacting naphtha production, which in turn leads to a shortage of ethylene. The lack of ethylene, a crucial element for banana ripening in Japan, could cause bananas to 'disappear' from dining tables. This situation highlights how international geopolitical events can indirectly affect the daily lives of people in distant countries.

*Source: SCMP (2026-06-02)*

Tags: #Japan #banana #ethylene #supply-chain #middle-east-conflict