South Korea Consumers Stockpile Garbage Bags

On March 30, 2026, industry sources reported consumers in South Korea are stockpiling garbage bags amid Middle East tensions that disrupted global crude oil and naphtha supplies. Major retailers reported sharp sales increases — E-Mart +287%, Lotte Mart +140%, GS25 +325% — and have limited purchases, raising concerns about shortages and higher costs for plastic containers and food-delivery packaging.