Shoei Foods Corporation
Shoei Foods Corporation
Japan's Largest Importer of Dried Fruits & Nuts
Established 1904 | Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market | Importing from 33 Countries
Company Overview
Shoei Foods Corporation is one of Japan's most distinguished and historic food ingredient companies, with roots stretching back to November 1904 when founder Tasuke Honda opened the Seikosha Milk Shop and a dairy cattle farm in what is now Ota-ku, Tokyo. The company was formally incorporated in November 1947 by brothers Shoichi and Eiji Honda, and today it is led by the third generation of the Honda family, with Ichiro Honda serving as Chairman and Hidemitsu Honda as President and Representative Director. Listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE: 8079), Shoei Foods has grown from a small neighbourhood dairy shop into Japan's undisputed largest importer of dried fruits and nuts, with consolidated annual revenue exceeding JPY 100 billion and a workforce of 1,483 employees across its global operations.
The company's primary business encompasses the import, purchase and sale of raw dairy products, oils and fats, confectionery raw materials, canned foods, dried fruits and nuts, serving the food industry with a particular focus on confectionery and bread manufacturing. Shoei Foods operates an integrated business model that combines three core functions: an importing and exporting function that sources agricultural produce and processed products from suppliers in 33 countries worldwide; a processing and manufacturing function spanning 10 production facilities (7 in Japan and 3 overseas); and a direct sales and distribution function that delivers products to food manufacturers, bakeries, food service operators and retail consumers across Japan and international markets.
A defining feature of Shoei Foods' global operations is its ownership of 1,000 acres of prune and walnut orchards in Olivehurst, California, along with contractual relationships with growers spanning an additional 12,000 acres in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. The company processes a total of 30,000 tons of walnuts and prunes annually. Its California facility, ShoEi Foods (U.S.A.), Inc., holds the distinction of being the world's first British Retail Consortium (BRC) certified walnut processor. In China, the company operates processing plants in Qingdao and Yanji that specialise in pine nut kernels, pumpkin seeds and other nut products for export to Japan and global markets. With subsidiary companies including Kyo Marron Co., Ltd., Robinia Corporation, Tsukuba Dairy Products Co., Ltd. and Shoei Delicy Corporation, the group's manufacturing capabilities cover chocolate production, biscuit manufacturing, dairy processing, nut sorting and packaging.
Family Heritage
Sourced From
Facilities
(Consolidated)
Key Import Products
As Japan's largest importer of dried fruits and nuts, Shoei Foods Corporation imports a wide range of premium food ingredients from trusted suppliers across 33 countries. The following six products represent core import categories that the company sources, processes and distributes to food manufacturers, confectioners, bakers and food service operators throughout Japan and international markets:
Shoei Foods imports premium quality dried grapes and sultanas from leading producing regions, primarily sourcing from Turkey, Iran, South Africa and Australia. These products are essential raw materials for the Japanese confectionery and baking industry, used extensively in bread production, cakes, cookies, cereal bars and snack manufacturing. The company's extensive sourcing network across multiple continents ensures consistent year-round supply, while its in-house quality control laboratories test every shipment for moisture content, sugar levels (Brix), microbiological safety and pesticide residues. Dried grapes imported by Shoei Foods are processed and repackaged at the company's Japanese and Chinese facilities to meet the exact specifications of industrial and retail customers.
Shoei Foods is a major global importer and processor of pine nut kernels, operating a dedicated processing facility through its subsidiary Yanji ShoEi Foods Co., Ltd. in Yanji, Jilin Province, China. This strategic location in the heart of pine nut growing country enables the company to source, shell, sort and export premium pine nut kernels to Japan and worldwide markets. The company offers both conventional and certified organic pine nut kernels, which are highly valued in Japanese and international cuisine for use in confectionery, pesto sauces, salads, bakery products and premium snack mixes. Pine nuts processed at Yanji ShoEi Foods undergo laser sorting, X-ray scanning and metal detection to ensure the highest levels of purity and food safety.
Shoei Foods imports desiccated coconut in multiple grades from the world's leading coconut-producing regions, with primary sourcing from the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The company supplies both medium-grade desiccated coconut, widely used in confectionery filling, bakery toppings and cereal manufacturing, and fine macaroon-grade desiccated coconut, which is essential for traditional Japanese-style coconut macaroons and premium baked goods. As a major importer, Shoei Foods leverages its 33-country supplier network to secure consistent supply of high-fat and low-fat desiccated coconut varieties, with full traceability from plantation to finished product. All coconut products undergo stringent quality testing for moisture, fat content, particle size distribution and microbiological safety at the company's quality control laboratories.
Shoei Foods imports sweetened banana chips from trusted tropical fruit processors, primarily sourcing from the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. These crispy, sweetened banana slices are a popular snack product and a versatile food service ingredient, widely used in Japanese snack manufacturing, cereal and granola production, baking applications and hotel and restaurant food service. The company sources banana chips that are prepared from carefully selected ripe bananas, thinly sliced and sweetened to deliver consistent flavour, texture and golden colour. Shoei Foods' import capabilities ensure stable supply for its extensive network of Japanese food manufacturers, retail bakeries and food service distributors, with products meeting Japan's strict food safety and labelling requirements.
Shoei Foods imports premium spray-dried coconut milk powder from leading coconut product manufacturers in the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. This versatile ingredient is a staple in the company's food service and confectionery raw materials portfolio, used extensively in Japanese curry manufacturing, dessert production, beverage formulation, dairy alternative applications and confectionery fillings. As one of Japan's largest food ingredient importers, Shoei Foods offers coconut milk powder in various fat content grades to suit different industrial applications, including both standard and certified organic varieties. The company's quality assurance program ensures every batch meets Japan's rigorous standards for microbiological safety, heavy metals, pesticide residues and product consistency, with full traceability documentation from source to customer.
Shoei Foods imports rich, thick coconut cream from premium coconut processors in the Philippines, Indonesia and other tropical producing regions. Coconut cream is a high-fat coconut product essential for a wide range of food manufacturing applications, including Asian cuisine preparations, dessert production, ice cream bases, confectionery fillings, sauces and dairy-free product formulations. The company's role as Japan's foremost food ingredient importer enables it to source coconut cream at competitive prices while maintaining the highest quality standards, with products processed under HACCP and ISO-certified conditions. Shoei Foods distributes coconut cream to food manufacturers, food service operators and retail markets throughout Japan, providing consistent supply, flexible packaging options and comprehensive quality documentation for every shipment.
Complete Product Portfolio
Shoei Foods offers a comprehensive range of food ingredients across four major product divisions, supplying the Japanese and international food industry with over 20 product categories sourced from 33 countries:
| Product Category | Division | Key Source Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Walnuts (In-shell & Shelled) | Confectionery & Baking | USA (Own Orchards), China, Chile |
| Prunes | Confectionery & Baking | USA (Own Orchards, Sunsweet) |
| Almonds | Confectionery & Baking | USA, Australia |
| Cashew Kernels | Confectionery & Baking | Vietnam, India, Brazil |
| Pine Nut Kernels | Confectionery & Baking | China (Yanji Processing), Korea |
| Pumpkin Seeds | Confectionery & Baking | China (Yanji Processing) |
| Pistachios | Confectionery & Baking | USA, Iran |
| Dried Grapes / Sultanas | Confectionery & Baking | Turkey, Iran, South Africa, Australia |
| Desiccated Coconut | Confectionery & Baking | Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka |
| Coconut Milk Powder | Food Service | Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka |
| Coconut Cream | Food Service | Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand |
| Sweetened Banana Chips | Food Service / Retail | Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam |
| Raw Dairy Products | Dairy Products | New Zealand, Australia, Europe, USA |
| Oils & Fats | Confectionery & Baking | Southeast Asia, Europe, South America |
| Canned Foods | Food Service | China, Thailand, Vietnam, Europe |
| Hazelnuts | Confectionery & Baking | Turkey, Italy, USA |
| Pecans | Confectionery & Baking | USA, Mexico, South Africa |
| Macadamias | Confectionery & Baking | Australia, South Africa |
| Dried Apricots / Figs / Peaches | Confectionery & Baking | Turkey, South Africa, USA |
| Chocolate & Cacao Products | Confectionery (Manufactured) | Manufactured at Chikusei Plant, Japan |
Global Operations & Production Facilities
Shoei Foods operates an integrated global network of 10 production facilities and multiple sales offices spanning Japan, the United States, China and Hong Kong. This multinational presence enables the company to maintain direct control over sourcing, processing, quality assurance and distribution across the entire supply chain.
Quality Assurance & Certifications
Shoei Foods Corporation maintains the highest standards of food safety and quality across its global operations. The company's commitment to delivering safe and reliable products is embedded in its corporate mission and supported by internationally recognised certifications and ethical trade practices.