Introduction of Companies Recommended by the Japan Fresh Produce Export Promotion Council

This section features companies that participated in the business meeting held in Singapore in August 2024 and January 2025, recommended by the Japan Fresh Produce Export Promotion Council.

Calbee Kaitsu Sweet Potato Co., Ltd. (Ibaraki Prefecture)

Based in Kasumigaura City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Calbee Kaitsu Sweet Potato Co., Ltd. specializes in processing and selling sweet potatoes. The company offers high-quality sweet potato products, including roasted and dried sweet potatoes, under its own brand “Beni Tenshi®”. Partnering with contract farmers, they focus on soil preparation and meticulous cultivation techniques to maximize sweetness and texture. As a member of the Calbee Group, the company is committed to producing safe and high-quality food while promoting the appeal of sweet potatoes in Japan and overseas.

Beni Tenshi Frozen Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Each “Beni Tenshi®” sweet potato is carefully roasted and frozen after an extended aging period. It offers a rich sweetness and a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Enjoy it hot or cold, making it a delicious treat all year round.

Mynavi Regional Activation CSV Business Division (Tokyo)

Mynavi’s Regional Activation CSV Business Division focuses on revitalizing regional economies and promoting primary industries. The company operates “Mynavi Agriculture”, a comprehensive agricultural information portal, and provides services such as agricultural job matching, training programs, and distribution channel expansion. Additionally, it collaborates with local governments and businesses to support regional industries, promote migration, and highlight tourism resources. Through these initiatives, Mynavi aims to build a sustainable regional society and provide comprehensive support.

Aomori Fully Ripe Apple Juice

This premium straight apple juice is made from carefully selected fully ripened apples from Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. It boasts a rich sweetness and a deep aroma, with no added sugar or additives, allowing the natural flavor of apples to shine. The juice is available in both single varieties and blended options, each offering a unique taste. From harvesting to pressing, every step is carefully managed to ensure safe and high-quality production, delivering a luxurious and naturally sweet drinking experience.

Tako Town Yamato Imo (Chiba Prefecture)

Tako Town has been cultivating Yamato Imo (a type of Japanese yam) since 1963, continuously improving seed varieties and soil management. Today, it produces approximately 2,000 tons annually, making it one of Japan’s top production areas. Yamato Imo has a long history, dating back to ancient Japan, and is known for its distinctive stickiness, which contains nutrients that enhance vitality. It is also rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, and high-quality protein, aiding digestion and promoting health. This nutritious food is widely loved in Japan.

Oita Prefecture Agricultural, Forestry & Fisheries Department – Oita Brand Promotion Section (Oita Prefecture)

The Oita Brand Export Promotion Council is dedicated to bringing Oita’s delicious fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meat to global markets. Its mission is to introduce Oita’s food to more countries and expand consumer awareness. The council focuses on strategies for selling products in stores and analyzing market trends to ensure successful exports. Through these efforts, Oita aims to share the unique flavors of its regional produce with people worldwide.

Shine Muscat (Oita Prefecture)

Oita-grown Shine Muscat grapes are characterized by their abundant juice, high sugar content, and perfect balance of acidity. With thin skin and a crisp texture, they offer a delightful eating experience. Cultivation began in Ajimu Town, Usa City, in 2008, and production has since expanded across the prefecture. Thanks to heated greenhouse cultivation, shipments begin in late June, making Oita one of the earliest regions in Japan to harvest Shine Muscat. Carefully nurtured for size and taste, Oita’s Shine Muscat is beloved by many.

Greenhouse Mikan (Oita Prefecture)

These high-quality Greenhouse Mikan is carefully grown in a controlled environment to ensure strong sweetness and low acidity. By maintaining optimal temperature and humidity, consistent quality and year-round availability are achieved. Oita is one of Japan’s leading Greenhouse Mikan production areas, benefiting from abundant sunshine to cultivate exceptionally sweet and juicy fruit. With thin, easy-to-peel skin, they are a popular choice for gifts. Their refined sweetness and premium quality make them a favorite among consumers.

JA Zen-Noh International Corporation (Tokyo)

JA Zen-Noh International Corporation Exports Japanese fresh vegetables and fruits, primarily to Southeast Asia, while actively promoting production areas and developing new distribution channels. The company transports seasonal fresh produce worldwide via air and sea freight and conducts one to two promotional activities per month in target markets to enhance awareness and demand for Japanese produce.

JA Shine Muscat (Nagano Prefecture)

Nagano-grown Shine Muscat is a premium, seedless grape with a high sugar content and a distinct muscat aroma. Nagano is one of Japan’s leading production areas, especially in the Hokushin region. JA Zen-Noh International is committed to exporting these high-quality Shine Muscat grapes and promoting their exceptional flavor and texture to global markets.

JA Peach (Japan)

Tominaga Trading Co., Ltd. (Hyogo Prefecture)

Tominaga Trading Co., Ltd. is a leading company in the fresh produce industry, handling a wide variety of vegetables such as onions and pumpkins sourced from both domestic and international markets. The company began dealing with onions in 1950 on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, and has since expanded its operations, working closely with its own farms and contracted farmers to ensure high-quality control and product development.

In 1966, Tominaga Trading became the first company in Japan to import onions from New Zealand and has since been actively involved in the importation of produce from overseas. In addition to onions, the company handles a diverse range of fresh produce, including bell peppers and avocados, collaborating with producers both in Japan and abroad to provide high-quality products.

Beni Haruka Sweet Potatoes (Kagoshima Prefecture)

Tominaga Trading offers Beni Haruka, a premium variety of Japanese sweet potatoes from Kagoshima Prefecture. Known for its naturally high sugar content and moist, rich texture, Beni Haruka was named for its exceptional sweetness. Grown in the region’s warm climate and nutrient-rich volcanic soil, these sweet potatoes are carefully aged under controlled temperature and humidity conditions after harvest to enhance their natural sweetness. Additionally, virus-free seedlings cultivated in a sterile environment ensure consistently high quality.

Shine Muscat Grapes

Tominaga Trading also handles Shine Muscat grapes, a premium variety known for its seedless nature, thin edible skin, and exceptionally sweet flavor with low acidity. These grapes offer a crisp texture and an elegant aroma, making them a popular choice for consumers of all ages. Tominaga Trading maintains strict quality control to deliver fresh, high-quality Shine Muscat grapes.

Wada Kudamono Orchard (Gunma Prefecture)

Located in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Wada Kudamono Orchard is a fruit farm that revitalizes abandoned farmland to cultivate pears, grapes, black figs, plums, and seasonal vegetables. The farm also operates a direct sales store, providing fresh, high-quality produce. Customers can stay updated on farm activities and harvest schedules via Instagram.

Ume Syrup

This homemade Ume Syrup is made from freshly harvested plums with no additives, preservatives, or artificial coloring. It offers a naturally refreshing and tangy plum flavor. The syrup is also used as a topping for shaved ice, delivering a unique taste that sets it apart from commercially available syrups.

Strawberries – Yayoi Hime

Wada Kudamono Orchard cultivates Yayoi Hime, an original Gunma strawberry variety. These strawberries are larger than average, featuring bright red skin with an orange tint. They are firm, making them highly transportable and long-lasting. Yayoi Hime strawberries are known for their rich sweetness, mild acidity, and deep flavor.

Gunma Apples

Wada Kudamono Orchard grows apples in Gunma’s ideal climate and fertile soil, specializing in regional varieties such as Gunma Meigetsu and Yoko.

●Gunma Meigetsu: Exceptionally sweet with low acidity and a high honey content.
●Yoko: A well-balanced apple with a rich, juicy taste.

These unique apple varieties are difficult to find outside of Gunma. Fresh apples can be purchased directly from the farm.

Goto Co., Ltd. (Nagasaki Prefecture)

Headquartered in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Goto Co., Ltd. specializes in producing and selling food products made from Goto Islands’ specialty ingredients. The company’s key products include Goto Imo (Goto-grown sweet potato) sweets and Nandemo Au Curry, a retort-packaged curry made with Goto’s rich sea bream broth.

In addition to manufacturing and selling its own products, Goto Co., Ltd. also provides private-label (PB) and original equipment manufacturing (OEM) services for retort and frozen foods. Its factory is certified under ISO 22000, ensuring high standards of food safety. The company also operates Goto Café, a place where visitors can experience the charm of the Goto Islands through local cuisine.

Goto Yaki Goto Imo – Frozen Roasted Sweet Potatoes

This frozen roasted sweet potato product is made from organically grown Goto Imo, a premium Anno Imo variety certified by Japan’s organic JAS system. The sweet potatoes are aged in a controlled dark room for approximately 40 days, allowing starches to convert into sugars naturally. Without any added sugar, Goto Yaki Goto Imo boasts an impressive average sweetness of 36.4 Brix.

Slow-roasted by skilled craftsmen and flash-frozen at -50°C, these sweet potatoes can be easily reheated in the microwave for a rich, honey-like texture and intense natural sweetness.

Goto Imo Rich Sweet Potato Potage

This rich sweet potato potage is made with Goto Imo, a variety that won the “Sweet Potato of the Year” award. With an average sugar content of 36.4 Brix, this soup highlights the potato’s natural sweetness with a gentle, well-balanced flavor. Ideal for breakfast, it provides a comforting and nourishing start to the day.

Bando Foods Co., Ltd. (Tokushima Prefecture)

Based in Kamikatsu, Tokushima Prefecture, Bando Foods Co., Ltd. specializes in the organic production and processing of citrus fruits such as Sudachi, Yuzu, and Yukou, as well as Awa Bancha fermented tea. The company is renowned for its high-quality Yuzu and Yukou juice products, which are highly valued in both domestic and international markets.

With a strong focus on global expansion, Bando Foods exports approximately 80% of its products to over 40 countries. The company is also known for developing innovative products using local Tokushima ingredients, such as the BAKASCO Hot Sauce.

BAKASCO Hot Sauce

A unique Japanese-style hot sauce made from Tokushima-grown Yuzu and chili peppers. With a bold spicy kick similar to Tabasco, it also features a refreshing citrus aroma, making it a versatile condiment for pizza, pasta, and hot pot dishes.

Sudachi & Cucumber Syrup

A refreshing syrup made from Tokushima-grown Sudachi juice and cucumber extract. Its unique blend of citrus tartness and cucumber freshness makes it perfect for mixing with soda water or cocktails.

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