Hanamaruki to Build “Shio Koji” Plant in Thailand

October 26, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese seasoning maker Hanamaruki Foods Inc. said Thursday it will build a plant in Thailand to produce "shio koji" salt-fermented rice malt.

The company, based in Ina in the central prefecture of Nagano, plans to start construction of the plant in the beginning of 2019, with shipments expected to begin in January 2020.

The company's exports of shio koji, which can be utilized in various cuisines, have been increasing, mainly to Thailand.

The plant will produce liquid shio koji for added customer convenience. The company plans to produce 1,000 kiloliters per year.

Hanamaruki plans to invite processed food manufacturers to use its shio koji in products, such as chicken dishes, that are exported to Japan and Europe.

It also hopes to export the seasoning to Southeast Asia, China, Europe and the United States.

The plant will be built with an investment of one billion yen at Hemaraj Saraburi Industrial Land, some 90 kilometers north of Bangkok.

Hanamaruki aims to increase its overseas sales of shio koji to 500 million yen in 2022, about five times the level of 2017. Jiji Press