- Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has identified vulnerabilities in the food supply chain due to instability in the Middle East.
- Although some businesses report uncertainty and material shortages, there is currently no overall nationwide shortage of any specific material.
- Minister Norikazu Suzuki travelling to Malaysia to secure stable access to key fertiliser supplies
The Japanese government has been closely monitoring how the situation in the Middle East could affect the supply of materials used across agriculture, forestry, fisheries and the food industry.
It has conducted surveys monitoring 57 categories of materials used from upstream production to downstream distribution, including containers and packaging that support food delivery to consumers.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Norikazu Suzuki recently updated the press on the findings.
“We have been conducting surveys on 57 items related to agricultural, forestry, fisheries, and food-related materials. The impacts identified in the surveys so far include concerns about future supply, price increases, concerns about raw material supply in some parts of the supply chain, and cases of material shortages for individual businesses.”
He added: “However, at present, we have not seen a situation where there is a general overall shortage of any particular material.”
Based on the survey, the ministry was prioritising item that are widely used or are of particular concern of businesses and consumers.
Prioritised items included bags used to distribute staple foods, meat packaging films essential for hygiene and quality control, hexane used in the extraction of vegetable oils, agricultural mulch films for stable crop production, and polystyrene foam used in seafood distribution.
While the surveys have uncovered concerns about future supply stability, Suzuki said that there was currently no evidence of an overall nationwide shortage for any specific material.
“Based on our current investigation, there are certainly some imbalances, and some businesses are reporting that they have no clear outlook for the future. However, we are addressing these issues on an individual basis, and at the same time, our current surveys indicate that the overall quantity of goods available nationwide is sufficient,” said Suzuki.
Fertiliser supplies
Suzuki also addressed fertiliser supplies focusing on urea, phosphorus and potassium, noting that Japan’s overall supply remains stable.
“We believe that the overall supply, including stockpiles, is sufficient. However, naturally, the future is uncertain with the situation in Iran.”
As part of efforts to secure supplies for the future, Suzuki said he was travelling to Malaysia.
“In light of the recent instability in the Middle East, I plan to exchange views with Malaysian companies that supply naphtha and crude oil to Japan, in addition to urea, a fertiliser raw material essential for agricultural production.”
He added: “If possible, we would like to discuss with them in future exchanges what methods could be considered to further ensure a stable supply for Japan, and then we would like to come up with a certain direction.”
Suzuki was also making a trip to Bangladesh to explore opportunities for Japanese exports.
“I will first hold meetings with government officials in Bangladesh, including paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarek Rahman, and exchange views with local food businesses regarding the potential of selling Japanese products, with the aim of expanding exports of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and food from Japan,” he said.
