Calbee Shrimp Chips (Kappa Ebisen)

Calbee · Japan
Snacks & Sweets Rice Cracker Ambient Established export

Light, puffy shrimp-flavored crackers first launched in Japan in 1964 (Kappa Ebisen) and exported to the US from ~1970 as 'Calbee Shrimp Chips' — one of the earliest Japanese savory-snack exports. Long-established in North American Asian groceries and increasingly in mainstream world-snack aisles. The real-shrimp savory flavor is the differentiator.

The supplierGlobal major: Calbee, Inc. — Japan's leading savory-snack maker, listed, with overseas plants (US, China, SEA, UK partnerships) and strong English B2B/export operations.
Why it sells abroadLong-loved crunchy shrimp-flavored snack; distinctive umami seafood taste hard to replicate, nostalgic and broadly liked across Asia.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsShellfish allergen (shrimp) — confirmed. Halal: not publicly verified. Kosher: not publicly verified. Calbee FSSC 22000 / ISO 22000 + HACCP typical corporate practice; overseas plants SQF/BRCGS plausible. Verify Halal/Kosher per plant/SKU.
Pack formatsRetail: Kappa Ebisen ~85g bag / multipack. Typical case: bag x12/case. (keep claimed)
Shelf lifeTypical 6-9 months ambient (fried snack). (keep claimed)
StorageAmbient, cool/dry.
Minimum orderTypical: importer case minimums; FCL for direct.
Lead timeTypical: 4-8 weeks.
CapacityVery high; multi-country plants.
Container loadTypical: 20ft ~1,800-2,500 cartons (very light snack).
PricingEstimate: JPY ~120-220 per bag FOB.
OEM / private labelOEM/contract savory-snack production plausible (Calbee has overseas JV manufacturing) but private-label not publicly documented — treat as not confirmed; inquire.
Wholesale & MOQCalbee America + Asian-grocery distributors; MOQ by case
Key exporters & distributorsCalbee, Inc., Calbee America
Export regulationShellfish (shrimp) + wheat allergens (significant); flavor-enhancer disclosure; oxidation limits shelf life (~6 months); nitrogen-flush packaging aids export.
Market demandStrong steady Asian-grocery + mainstream US/CA/GB demand; savory-Japanese-snack and seafood-flavor trend.
How to source itCalbee overseas subsidiaries / export division / authorized distributors; FOODEX; JETRO/GFP. (keep claimed)
Verified sourceshttps://www.calbee.co.jp/en/products/
MakerCalbee, Inc.
OriginJapan
CategorySnacks & Sweets / Rice Cracker
Available inUnited States, Canada, China +5 more
HandlingAmbient
Price tierMid
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessEstablished export
HS code1905.90
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.