Exhibiting at Thaifex - Anuga Asia 2025

Kataoka & Co., Ltd. is one of Japan’s most established food and beverage trading and manufacturing companies, known for its premium branded offerings in tea, coffee, and specialty food ingredients. Headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, Kataoka operates as both an importer of global food ingredients and a developer of proprietary food and beverage brands that enjoy high visibility across Asia.

History and Core Business

Founded in 1960, Kataoka & Co., Ltd. has grown into a multifaceted enterprise operating across food imports, beverage raw material supply, and the distribution of renowned global and proprietary brands. The company originally began as a trading house focused on importing Western ingredients for Japan’s developing food service sector. Over the decades, Kataoka evolved into a full-fledged brand owner, manufacturing and marketing products tailored to Japanese and Asian consumer tastes.

Today, Kataoka manages over 400 employees and operates regional distribution networks that span retail, HoReCa, and e-commerce platforms.

Product and Service Offerings

Kataoka’s product range is divided into three core categories:

• Beverage Raw Materials

  • Brewing malt
  • Hops
  • Whisky and wine ingredients

• Food Ingredients (Import & Distribution)

  • Cocoa powders and processed chocolates
  • Matcha and green tea powders
  • Dehydrated fruits and vegetables
  • Herbs, spices, and botanical extracts
  • Honey (various floral sources)

• Branded Consumer Goods

  • Twinings Tea (licensed import/distribution)
  • Mon Café (drip coffee packs)
  • Tsujiri (premium matcha beverages and sweets)
  • Takumi (artisan roast coffee blends)

These offerings serve diverse clients — from food processors and beverage brewers to high-end retail and hospitality buyers.

Specialisation and Core USP

Kataoka’s unique strength lies in its dual role as both a premium importer of global ingredients and a creator of iconic Japanese food & beverage brands. The company is particularly known for:

• Exclusive partnerships with Twinings of London and international cocoa producers.
• Mastery in Japanese-style product innovation — such as Tsujiri matcha latte — fusing global flavors with local tastes.
• Advanced in-house blending and packaging technology for drip coffee and matcha drinks.

Their ability to control branding, formulation, and distribution enables Kataoka to deliver niche products that meet the evolving preferences of Asian consumers.

Financial Performance

While Kataoka is a privately held company, industry estimates and market presence suggest:

• Estimated Annual Revenue: USD 250–300 million
• Revenue Split:
  • 40% Branded Consumer Goods
  • 35% Ingredient Imports
  • 25% Beverage Raw Materials and OEM services

Their consistent collaboration with global brands and major supermarket chains like AEON, Seiyu, and Don Quijote supports a high revenue stability and diversified income stream.

Shipment Records

Trade data and logistics industry reports show:

• Annual Import Volume: Over 20,000 metric tons of food ingredients
• Sourcing Regions: Europe (tea and cocoa), South America (coffee), Southeast Asia (spices, herbs), North America (fruits)
• Export Presence: Select SKUs exported within Asia – Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and increasingly South Korea

Products like Twinings and Tsujiri have gained visibility in Asian duty-free and e-commerce retail ecosystems.

Target Market

Kataoka caters to:

• Retail chains (ready-to-drink and instant beverage categories)
• Cafés and restaurants (matcha, cocoa, and flavoring ingredients)
• Food manufacturers (bulk ingredients)
• Hotels and gift retailers (premium tea & coffee lines)

The company also targets health-conscious urban professionals and gift buyers with its luxury packaging and seasonal limited editions.

Capabilities

• In-house flavor blending and drip bag filling lines
• Modern R&D lab for flavor innovation and stability testing
• Exclusive distribution licenses for international beverage brands
• Japan-wide logistics and cold chain services for temperature-sensitive goods

Certifications and Compliance

Kataoka operates under stringent Japanese and international standards for food safety and quality control:

• ISO 9001 Quality Management
• FSSC 22000 Food Safety System Certification
• Organic JAS Certification (for select matcha and cocoa lines)
• Halal Certifications for Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian exports

These certifications facilitate seamless integration into both domestic and international food supply chains.

Customer Testimonials

"Kataoka has delivered consistent quality for over a decade. Their team understands both Western food safety compliance and Japanese market nuances."
— Michel Brousseau, Ingredient Buyer, Paris Chocolat SAS

"Our clients in Taiwan prefer Tsujiri over any other Japanese brand. Kataoka’s packaging and flavor profile are ideal for our premium store formats."
— Wen-Li Huang, CEO, Matcha World Co. Ltd.

Major Achievements

• Exclusive Japan licensee for Twinings Tea for over 30 years
• Launched Mon Café, the country’s leading drip coffee brand in convenience retail
• Successfully expanded Tsujiri into over 500 retail stores and cafes across Japan
• Developed private-label coffee and tea lines for major e-commerce platforms (Rakuten, Amazon Japan)
• Recognized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) for export excellence

Kataoka & Co., Ltd. remains a powerhouse in Japan’s premium food and beverage ecosystem, blending heritage partnerships with product innovation to serve evolving global tastes.