Meiji Holdings of Japan will transfer some of its China business, Meiji (China) Investment, Meiji Dairies (Tianjin), and Meiji Dairies (Suzhou) to Shanghai AustAsia Food, and is progressing with portfolio restructuring. The transfer is scheduled for December 2026. Meiji notes that the Chinese market has changed significantly due to diversifying consumer needs, changes in sales channels, intensifying competition and rising raw materials and logistics costs. The company plans to focus on growth areas such as its chocolate business in China going forward, it says.

The investment arm works in sales of products in categories including dairy, ice cream, confectionery and nutritional products, as well as business and fund management, and enhancement of governance of operating companies in China. The Tianjin and Suzhou sites produce dairy products. However, the Meiji Food (Guangzhou) plant is not being sold at this time. Also, certain brands related to the yogurt products are not subject to the purchase either.