Yamafu Seika, a company based in Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture, announced on the 23rd that it has resumed operations at its factory, which produces the popular 'Wasabi Beef' potato chips. The production had been halted on the 12th due to difficulties in sourcing heavy oil, a crucial fuel for their frying processes, which arose from a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This fuel is essential as the fryers at the plant rely on heavy oil to warm the cooking oil used for frying approximately 30 kiloliters of potatoes weekly.

The disruption in the heavy oil supply led to an immediate response from company president Toshi Katada, who noted that they were informed on the 11th by their suppliers that they would be unable to provide heavy oil the following week. Following the announcement of production halts, 2-3 wholesale companies reached out to Yamafu, helping the company negotiate contracts with about four additional suppliers to ensure a stable supply moving forward.

While pleased with the swift resumption of production, Katada emphasized that this situation does not signal that the blockade has been lifted. He pledged to explore alternative heating sources and diversify their procurement channels to mitigate potential risks from such geopolitical events in the future. This situation underscores the vulnerabilities faced by food manufacturers reliant on particular energy sources, especially amid international tensions that can disrupt supply chains.