Marukyu Foods Co., Ltd.

Marukyu Foods Co., Ltd. (マルキュー食品株式会社) is a Japanese food manufacturer specializing in spicy mentaiko (seasoned cod roe) and tarako (salted cod roe). Founded in September 1990 in Onojo, Fukuoka Prefecture, the company operates an integrated production system that handles everything from raw egg curing to finished product. Its main raw material is Alaska pollock roe purchased directly from the Bering Sea, which it uses for all its products. Marukyu Foods is known for its "Piritto Karashi Mentaiko" (spicy mentaiko) line, a long-standing product for the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union (JCCU). The company holds MSC CoC certification and FSSC 22000/ISO 22000 certification, reflecting its focus on food safety and sustainability. In August 2017, all shares were acquired by Nichimo Co., Ltd., making Marukyu a member of the Nichimo Group. As of its company profile, it has 130 employees and capital of 30 million yen. Its main sales channels include JCCU, Niigata Reizo, and Hatae, and it also sells directly from its factory and online.

Marukyu Foods Co., Ltd. was established on September 17, 1990, in Onojo, Fukuoka Prefecture, as a manufacturer of spicy mentaiko. From the start, it aimed for an integrated production system capable of handling everything from raw egg curing to the final product. In 1992, the company began transactions with the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union (JCCU) for spicy mentaiko. In 1995, it expanded its business with JCCU through the product "Piritto Karashi Mentaiko," which became a pillar of its mentaiko business. Due to increasing sales of this product, production also began in South Korea. In 2002, production of "Piritto Karashi Mentaiko" was shifted entirely from South Korean processing to domestic processing in Japan. A new main factory began operation, consolidating three domestic factories and one overseas factory. This factory enabled integrated production from raw eggs to finished products under strict hygiene control, and the company limited its raw material eggs to those from Alaska, USA. In May 2007, Marukyu obtained MSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification, a requirement for handling MSC-certified products. In October 2007, MSC-certified products (spicy mentaiko and tarako) went on sale at JCCU. In December 2008, the company began transactions with CGC Japan, supplying products to member supermarkets nationwide. In February 2009, a second factory (B factory) was added, increasing production capacity; the existing A factory became a dedicated line for JCCU to prevent cross-contamination. In February 2011, production of "Hitokuchi Mentaiko 120g" began, becoming another major pillar for JCCU products. In September 2014, Marukyu's co-op products went on sale at JCCU stores. On August 1, 2017, all shares were acquired by Nichimo Co., Ltd., and Marukyu became a member of the Nichimo Group under a new structure. In November 2019, the company obtained FSSC 22000 and ISO 22000 certification. In September 2020, it celebrated its 30th anniversary. The company has also formulated an action plan based on the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace, covering April 2022 to March 2027.

• Marukyu Foods established as a spicy mentaiko manufacturer in Onojo, Fukuoka.

• Started transactions with the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union (JCCU) for spicy mentaiko.

• Expanded business with JCCU through "Piritto Karashi Mentaiko"; production also began in South Korea.

• Shifted "Piritto Karashi Mentaiko" production entirely to domestic processing; new main factory began operation, consolidating factories.

• Obtained MSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification.

• MSC-certified products (spicy mentaiko and tarako) began selling at JCCU.

• Started transactions with CGC Japan, supplying products to member supermarkets nationwide.

• B factory added and began operation, increasing production capacity; A factory became dedicated JCCU line.

• Production of "Hitokuchi Mentaiko 120g" began, becoming another major pillar for JCCU products.

• Marukyu's co-op products went on sale at JCCU stores.

• All shares acquired by Nichimo Co., Ltd.; became a member of the Nichimo Group.

• Obtained FSSC 22000 and ISO 22000 certification.

• Celebrated 30th anniversary of founding.

Premium, safety-focused mentaiko and tarako manufacturer with integrated production and sustainable sourcing.

• Piritto Karashi Mentaiko

  Spicy mentaiko product that became a pillar of the company's business with JCCU.

• Hitokuchi Mentaiko 120g

  Bite-sized mentaiko product launched in 2011, another major JCCU product.

• MSC-certified spicy mentaiko and tarako

  Products certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, sold at JCCU since 2007.

1. 1マルキュー食品株式会社【公式】marukyu.co.jp
2. 2会社案内 | マルキュー食品株式会社【公式】marukyu.co.jp