In Japan, ethylene shortage may cause bananas to ‘disappear’ from dining tables
Japan is facing a potential shortage of bananas due to a critical lack of ethylene, a gas essential for ripening the fruit. The global supply chain disruptions, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have severely impacted naphtha supplies, the source of ethylene. This shortage, the worst in fifty years, threatens a staple food for Japan, which imports over 90% of its crude oil. While importers have secured a few months' supply, rising costs for fuel, packaging, and shipping are expected to increase prices for consumers. AI
