Ajinomoto ups Masako seasoning production
production of its Masako flavoured seasoning in Indonesia, reported
the Nihon Keizai Shimbun yesterday.
The amino acids firm is slated to invest about Y700 million (€5.2m) in a plant operated by local subsidiary PT Ajinomoto Indonesia to lift the output capacity of the factory by 57 per cent this fiscal year, the business daily reported.
The move follows increasing demand for the product which is used in a variety of finished dishes including soup and fried rice.
According to the report, the plant produced some 14,000 tons of Masako seasoning last fiscal year with the new production facilities, due to start operations by the end of this month, set to raise output capacity to 22,000 tons a year.
On track to meet its full-year targets - sales of Y1.05 trillion and net profits of Y35 billion - in February this year the seasonings stalwart reported total sales for the April to December period of Y795.8 billion (€6.02bn), with operating profits reaching Y54.1 billion and net profits at Y27.3 billion. Continued demand for its amino acid supplement Amino Vital was one of the main drivers of growth.
Outside Japan, total sales were Y107.5 billion for the period, helped by strong seasoning sales in markets such as Thailand and Vietnam and a recovery in the Indonesian market, where MSG sales had been affected by a debate over halal status.
Ajinomoto produces a wide range of products for the Japanese market, including processed foods, frozen foods, edible oils, coffee and dairy products, as well as its seasonings and sweeteners business.
