Candy makers to boost sales

Candy makers to boost sales

TOKYO (Nikkei): Three major candy makers are stepping up their
overseas marketing efforts, in light of the poor growth prospects
in the domestic market, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its
Tuesday morning edition.

Meiji Seika Kaisha Ltd. has set up a joint venture in Jakarta
with Petra Foods Pte. Ltd., a major Singaporean candy maker, to
produce chocolates and candies from around October, the business
daily reported.

The venture aims to post first-year sales of around Y1
billion, or 10 percent of Indonesia's chocolate market, according
to company sources.

Morinaga & Co.'s Taiwanese joint venture began selling its
jelly-type beverage throughout the island this spring.

The company says it will expand its product lineup in Taiwan
in the current business year, aiming for a 25 percent increase in
local sales to some Y3.6 billion.

Ezaki Glico Co. will use its French joint venture's marketing
channels to boost sales of its chocolate-coated cookies "Pocky,"
also called "Mikado," in Italy.