Category Archives: Cooperatives

SAIJYO, June 10 — A Japanese farmer co-operative café has introduced a sweet treat, containing a giant melon that weighs 2kg. Created by the café in Saijyo city, Ehime prefecture, the sweet uses a melon cut in half, which has a diameter of 18 cm. The café names it “Mega Mountain” priced at 1,500 yen ($14). The café sells “Melon Mountain” that uses an ordinary-sized melon at 880 yen ($8). But the sizes of harvested melon are bigger this year, the café operator said.

IMABARI, June 12 – Female members of JA Ochiimabari, an agricultural cooperative in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, appeared at a soccer game on June 10 as escorts for local soccer team FC Imabari, the first such attempt by the farm coop which sponsors the team. Twenty-two women walked into Arigato Service Yume Stadium in Imabari packed with more than 2,000 fans, each holding hands with 11 FC Imabari players and holding local products in season, such as tomatoes and eggplants, on the other hand. They hope that promoting local agricultural products while supporting the local soccer team of the Japan Football League will contribute to boosting the town. “It was like … Continue reading →

TOKYO, June 4 — A Japanese private equity fund has acquired the United Arab Emirates-based Country Hill International (CHI), a leading meat importer and distributor, for an undisclosed amount. The Gulf Japan Food Fund (GJFF), the Japanese fund that promotes Japanese agricultural exports, acquired the CHI, with an aim to boost the exports of halal wagyu beef to the Middle East market. The CHI is a meat wholesaler company that specializes in importing meat products from New Zealand and Australia. It distributes them to high-end hotels, restaurants and major supermarket chains in the UAE. The move comes as the high-priced Japanese delicacy, such as wagyu beef, has become increasingly popular … Continue reading →

MORIYAMA, May 24 — A Japanese farmers’ co-operative in Shiga prefecture is to export its pearl barley to Taiwan for the first time, aiming to capitalize its health benefits abroad. JA Oumifuji is to ship 300 packages of prepackaged pearl barley to Taiwan in June. One package contains 300 grams of barley grown in Shiga prefecture. Pearl barley has a chewy, satisfying texture and subtle nutty flavor, making it a perfect way to bulk up meals. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of barley decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.