Plastic and PET Containers Nearing 'Sold Out'... Food Industry Sends Unified 'SOS' Saying It 'Can No Longer Hold Out'

[Financial News] Companies in the food and restaurant sectors are calling for swift government policy support, saying that the prolonged crisis in the Middle East is disrupting supplies of raw and packaging materials and worsening business conditions.
Thirteen related organizations, including the Korea Food Industry Association (KFIA), issued a joint statement on the 9th. They warned, "Instability in Naphtha supplies is causing disruptions in securing key packaging materials such as plastic, film, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers," adding, "For some items, inventories have fallen to around two weeks' worth."
The groups cautioned that "if this situation continues, it could affect overall product manufacturing and restaurant operations," raising concerns about the stability of the broader supply chain.
They went on to explain that "with high interest rates, a strong dollar, and persistent inflation, cost pressures have risen to near-breaking levels, making normal business operations increasingly difficult for companies."
They also urged the government to swiftly prepare countermeasures. Key requests include giving priority to the supply of raw materials for food packaging, policy support to ease cost burdens, rational operation of related regulations and adjustment of their implementation timelines, and measures to speed up administrative and customs procedures.
Jin-Sun Park, head of the Korea Food Industry Association, said, "The food industry is a core livelihood sector directly linked to people's survival," and stressed, "The current situation goes beyond individual companies and marks a critical moment when instability could spread across the entire food supply chain."
He added, "To maintain a stable food supply, swift and effective policy support from the government is crucial," and expressed hope that "policy measures that can be felt on the ground will be implemented in a timely manner."

ssuccu@fnnews.com Reporter Seo-yeon Kim Reporter