The newly-established joint venture, named Asahi-Nutifood, will provide nutritional products for children which are produced under Japanese standards in Vietnam’s market. Especially, these products will be made under formula by Nutifood’s nutritionist to suit the physical conditions of Vietnamese children.
Capital contribution ratio of two firms was equal. In the initial stage, the products will still be made in Japan. The manufacture of its products in Vietnam remained under discussion.
Asahi is a leading company in Japan in producing and trading dairy products, including formula and baby foods, and beverages like beer and soft drinks. It is the owner of Wakodo – the top baby food brand in Japan. Total revenue of the company exceeded two trillion Japanese yen, or US$19 billion, in 2017.
Mr Shoyama Katsuo, chairman of Asahi Group Foods, said that Vietnam was a potential market and his company hoped to make its products widely available in the country so it decided to partner with a company expert in nutrition for local children. Nutifood was chosen for its strength in providing nutritional products for children as well as for having many similarities with Asahi.
Mr Tran Thanh Hai, chairman of Nutifood, said that the company was proud when being trusted and chosen by Asahi to become its partner in providing nutritional products for children under Japanese standard in Vietnam. Although Asahi was able to expand its market in Vietnam by itself, it chose to joint venture with Nutifood instead. He hoped that the joint venture’s products will be welcomed by local consumers.
On November 30 last year, Nutifood signed a strategic partnership with Germany’s BASF to bring Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) into its line of nutrition products to help formula to be most similar to breast milk.
Last September, Nutifood also cooperated with Sweeden Backahill to produce organic dairy products for consumption in European and Asian markets.
Early last year, the company met strict requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration and secured certification from the regulator to export Pedia Plus, a product for children with anorexia, to the United State.
