Japanese farmers are switching to paper-based agricultural mulch after shortages of naphtha-derived plastic sheets disrupted nationwide supplies this month [1].
The shift highlights a critical vulnerability in the agricultural supply chain, where Middle East geopolitical tensions have forced refineries to prioritize gasoline production over naphtha-based resins [2, 3, 4].
At Koyama Farm, representative Misao Koyama said the lack of mulch prevents crops from retaining moisture and allows weeds to grow, necessitating daily watering [1]. The shortage is currently affecting white mulch, but industry expectations suggest black mulch will also be out of stock by August 2026 [1, 2].
In response to the scarcity, orders for biodegradable paper-based mulch have risen to three times the volume of the previous year [1]. These alternatives allow farmers to maintain soil temperature and humidity while avoiding the reliance on petrochemicals.
There is a disconnect between the experience of producers and official government statements. A Japanese government spokesperson said the required amount of naphtha for the entire country has been secured [2]. However, manufacturers said the shortage is extreme, stating that supply remains difficult due to the volatile situation in the Middle East [4].
Agricultural regions including Miyagi Prefecture are among those feeling the impact [1, 5]. Farmers continue to seek alternatives as the risk of further stockouts looms for the remainder of the summer season.
“Orders for paper-based mulch are three times higher than the previous year.”
This crisis illustrates the direct impact of energy security on food production. While the Japanese government maintains that overall naphtha levels are adequate, the prioritization of fuel over industrial resins creates a 'bottleneck' for specialized agricultural tools. The rapid pivot to paper-based alternatives suggests a potential long-term shift toward sustainable materials, though the transition is being driven by necessity rather than policy.
