Japanese snack producer Yamayoshi Seika has suspended production of several potato chip lines, including its flagship Wasabeef product, as fuel shortages disrupt manufacturing operations.

The company said it had halted output of six items after heavy oil used in production became difficult to secure. The disruption is linked to supply constraints stemming from instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global crude shipments.

According to The Japan Times, “fans of Wasabeef potato chips may have to brace themselves for emptier shelves,” as the manufacturer struggles to maintain production.

The company has not provided a timeline for resuming operations, underlining the uncertainty facing processors reliant on stable energy inputs. Alongside the production halt, Yamayoshi has temporarily closed its direct sales store and online shop and is no longer accepting new orders, although it said existing orders would still be fulfilled.

Retail supply is now limited to inventory already in distribution channels, with no immediate replenishment expected.

The disruption highlights the exposure of food processing operations to upstream energy markets. Heavy oil remains a key input for thermal processing in snack manufacturing, and any interruption in supply can translate rapidly into reduced output.

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has constrained global oil flows, with knock-on effects for import-dependent economies such as Japan. For food manufacturers, this creates immediate operational challenges, particularly where production systems rely on continuous, energy-intensive processes.

Yamayoshi acknowledged the impact on its stakeholders, stating: “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and trouble this will cause our customers and business partners,” adding that efforts are underway to secure fuel and resume production as soon as possible.

The company’s decision represents one of the first visible impacts of the current oil supply disruption on the Japanese food sector, with availability of processed potato products already tightening at retail level.