Japan's food sector targets India to offset ageing domestic market
Tokyo, June 22
The concept of Japan's industry is changing to adapt to its social transformation. It aims to keep steady growing of business, harmonizing with foreign market.
Japan's social transformation ----population reduction, aging, market shrink and so on---- forces to Japan's industry to change business strategy.
Government recognizes it and navigates transformation of industry. Japan's Government nominated 17 important industrial fields. In it agricultural and fishery industry is expected to investigate plant factory and fish cultivation on the land. Those methods are not suffered by climate change but certificate stable supply of products.
Currently agricultural fishery products pay attention to foreign market especially big Indian market.
Ken Sasaji = Deputy Director General of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) pointed out. "India has huge market for Japan's food products. It may take time to establish supply network. Be patient of preparation term, afterward supply network will grow steadily. In addition relative industries of food products are growing, agricultural machine, refrigeration facility, safe and clean transportation system and so on."
Kagome is a Japan's famous food processing company using mainly tomato. Kagome developed to India in 2018 setting factory. It produces pizza sauce, tomato sauce and so on from Indian tomato. Focusing to expansion of Indian market Kagome plans to build value chain --- from material to processing and wide supply network.
Soy sauce is a Japan's traditional seasoning. Kikkoman is a representative company of soy sauce. Kikkoman investigates about matching of soy sauce and Indian cuisine. Now focuses to Indian Chinese cuisine. Its investigation may make break trough of matching soy sauce and Indian taste.
Ken Sasaji = Deputy Director General of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) explains about the condition to increase concern of Japan's food industry." Preparation of infrastructure is important. Especially for food industry clean water is integral. In addition clarification of land rights, tax support and keeping transparency of negotiation are also very welcome for Japan's industry."
Japan's industry has big concern to Indian market. Indian Government settles tax reforming and incentive to accelerate investment. Both sides are eager to establish good relation. Key element is to share and realize both sides thought and view.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting that Kikkoman is targeting Indian-Chinese cuisine. That's a smart move - it's one of the most popular fusion cuisines here. But Japanese soy sauce vs Indian taste? I'm skeptical. We love our strong masalas and tangy flavors. Maybe they should also look at how to pair it with traditional dishes like dosa or biryani?
This is exactly the kind of international partnership India needs. More Japanese investment in cold storage and supply chain will benefit not just them but our own farmers too. The tax reforms have been improving but land rights clarity is still a mess in many states. Hope both governments work on that. 😊
"Be patient" - that's the key phrase here. India's market is huge but complex. Different states have different food habits, supply chains vary wildly. But if Japanese companies bring their efficiency and quality focus, it could be a game changer for our food processing sector. Just don't expect overnight success.
Kagome making pizza sauce from Indian tomatoes? As someone who loves cooking, this excites me! We have amazing tomato varieties across India - if they use local produce properly, the quality could be fantastic. Just hope they don't import everything and actually build local linkages. 🌱
This is a win-win if done right. Japan gets a growing market, India gets technology transfer and better infrastructure. But I have one concern - will this push our local food processing industry out? Need to ensure small Indian players also benefit from this collaboration. Fair competition is good, domination is not.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.