Kinko Seika Co., Ltd.

Kinko Seika Co., Ltd. was a Japanese wholesale company that operated in the fruit and vegetable section of the Yokohama Central Wholesale Market. It was established in 1947 with joint investment from producers, retailers, and large-scale buyers who shipped goods to the market. For decades it served as one of two major produce wholesalers in the market, alongside Yokohama Marunaka Seika, helping to ensure a stable supply of fruits and vegetables to the Yokohama area. The company organized local farmers and shippers into the Kinko Seika Shipping Association Federation (Kinko Shukka Ren), strengthening its procurement network. The company's name, "Kinko," is an alternative name for the Port of Yokohama, and its trade name "Hama-jirushi" was registered as a trademark in 2011. Over the years, Kinko Seika expanded its operations by establishing subsidiaries such as Naikajitsu Co., Ltd. in 2008 and Harbor Seika Co., Ltd. in 2010. In 2017, it entered into a capital and business alliance with Gourmet Kineya, a restaurant chain operator that was already a shareholder. That same year, it also founded Agri-Nouveau Co., Ltd., Kinko Fresh Packaging Co., Ltd., and Kinko Trading Co., Ltd. Despite these efforts, the company's transaction volume declined steadily. By fiscal year 2021, its handling volume had fallen to 20.1 billion yen, roughly half of what it had been 20 years earlier, and it had been operating in the red for consecutive years. In 2021, it transitioned to a holding company structure: the original Kinko Seika Co., Ltd. was renamed Kinko Holdings Co., Ltd., and a new Kinko Seika Co., Ltd. was established to inherit the wholesale business. However, on September 27, 2022, the company announced that an extraordinary shareholders' meeting had resolved to change its articles of incorporation to set its duration until November 30, 2022, after which it would dissolve and cease operations. The company officially ended its business on November 30, 2022.

Kinko Seika Co., Ltd. was founded in 1947 with capital of 195,000 yen, established by joint investment from producers, retailers, and large-scale buyers who shipped to the fruit and vegetable section of the Yokohama Central Wholesale Market. In 1952, the Kinko Seika Shipping Association Federation (Kinko Shukka Ren) was formed, organizing local producers and shippers. In 1965, the Kinko Mutsumi-kai was established. The company increased its capital to 150 million yen in 1972. In 1973, it began operations at its Minami branch following the opening of the Minami Market. In 1977, the Minami Kinko Shipping Federation was formed. The headquarters was relocated in 1988. In the 2000s and 2010s, the company established several subsidiaries: Naikajitsu Co., Ltd. in 2008, Harbor Seika Co., Ltd. in 2010, and in 2017, Agri-Nouveau Co., Ltd., Kinko Fresh Packaging Co., Ltd., and Kinko Trading Co., Ltd. In 2017, Gourmet Kineya, a restaurant chain operator and one of the shareholders, acquired additional shares and entered into a capital and business alliance with Kinko Seika. In 2019, the company reduced its capital to 100 million yen. In 2021, it transitioned to a holding company structure: the original Kinko Seika Co., Ltd. was renamed Kinko Holdings Co., Ltd., and a new Kinko Seika Co., Ltd. was established to inherit the wholesale business through a company split. However, the company's transaction volume had been declining for years. By fiscal year 2021, its handling volume was 20.1 billion yen, half of what it had been 20 years earlier, and it had been running deficits. On September 27, 2022, the company announced that an extraordinary shareholders' meeting had resolved on September 24 to amend the articles of incorporation to set the company's duration until November 30, 2022. Upon expiration of that period, the company would dissolve and cease business activities. The company ended operations on November 30, 2022.

• 2022

  Extraordinary shareholders' meeting resolved to set duration until November 30, 2022; company dissolved and ceased operations on November 30, 2022.

• 2021

  Transitioned to a holding company structure; original company renamed Kinko Holdings Co., Ltd. and new Kinko Seika Co., Ltd. established.

• 2019

  Capital reduced to 100 million yen.

• 2017

  Gourmet Kineya acquired additional shares and entered into a capital and business alliance; Agri-Nouveau, Kinko Fresh Packaging, and Kinko Trading established.

• 2011

  Trade name 'Hama-jirushi' registered as a trademark.

• 2010

  Harbor Seika Co., Ltd. established.

• 2008

  Naikajitsu Co., Ltd. established.

• 1988

  Headquarters relocated.

• 1977

  Minami Kinko Shipping Federation formed.

• 1973

  Minami branch began operations following the opening of Minami Market.

• 1972

  Capital increased to 150 million yen.

• 1965

  Kinko Mutsumi-kai formed.

• 1952

  Kinko Seika Shipping Association Federation formed.

• 1947

  Company founded with capital of 195,000 yen.

One of two major produce wholesalers at the Yokohama Central Wholesale Market, serving the Yokohama area.

• Fruits

• Vegetables

• Wholesale services

1. 1Kinko Seika Co., Ltd. - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2金港青果 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org