Japanese supply chains are facing another unforeseen snag. The fast food chain McDonald’s Holdings Japan announced Tuesday, December 21, that it would reduce its portions of French fries from December 24 to 30 due to logistical problems linked to the pandemic and flooding in Canada, the country of origin of its potatoes.
Some 2,900 of the brand’s fast-food restaurants in the Archipelago will therefore only serve small portions of fries, to avoid the shortage. Because “Major flooding near the port of Vancouver” (western Canada) and “Disruptions to global supply chains linked to the coronavirus pandemic, we are experiencing supply delays”, explains the company in a press release.
The chain specifies that it has taken this measure to allow all consumers to order French fries, despite “The difficulty in maintaining a stable supply of basic ingredients”. These restrictions will be put in place when schools and businesses are about to close for the holiday season.
They will apply in particular on Christmas Day, which sees long lines form in front of the restaurants of the Kentucky Fried Chicken fast-food chain every year. Many Japanese associate the fried chicken of this sign with this holiday.