Resolving Social Issues through Our Business Nichirei Foods
Contribute to the development of local communities and grow by meeting “clean label” demand
Social Issues
Poverty
Educational issues
Agriculture that takes the local environment into consideration
Nutrition and health of local residents
Supplying Clean Label Raw Materials and Ingredients
The number of clean label*1 products launched in the global market in 2021 was up 16% compared with 2017, mirroring growing consumer concerns about food safety. As this trend is expected to continue, stable growth is predicted in the market for clean label raw materials. As one response, there is an increasing need for using acerola powder, which is rich in natural vitamin C, to maintain food quality and for other applications.
*1A new trend, primarily in the United States and Europe, that refers to food prepared using simple raw materials and ingredients with easy-to-understand labelling. This concept is described with terms such as additive-free, natural, organic, and non-GMO.
■Increase in Clean Label Products Launched in the Global Market
Poverty and educational issues are notable in Brazil, which is our main production area. Nichirei Foods’ acerola business helps create jobs for local residents.
Nichirei was one of the first companies to introduce acerola to Japan, with the launch of Acerola Drink in 1987 and other initiatives. We started the acerola raw materials business on a large scale in 1990, and established a Brazilian subsidiary, Nichirei do Brasil Agricola Ltda. (Niagro), in 1991. This subsidiary became directly involved in operating a plantation and a juice processing facility, and also began selling acerola juice products in the United States and Europe.
Building Relationships of Trust with Contract Farmers
Niagro distributes seedlings to co-growers free of charge, and its employees personally provide guidance on planting for stable cultivation and harvesting of high-quality fruit with guaranteed traceability. Niagro purchases the entire crop, ensuring a stable income for co-growers and improving their cultivation skills. Through these initiatives, Nichirei Foods is able to provide a stable supply of high-quality products to customers worldwide.
Sustainability Initiatives
Niagro operates an environmentally friendly acerola business, and supports the development of the local community through job creation and contributions to the region.
1. Building Relationships of Trust with Co-growers
Supply of seedlings free of charge, support for agriculture through cultivation guidance
Contract farming with purchase agreements ensures stable income for farmers
Continuous technical support through regular workshops
2. Contributions to the Region
Support for childcare facilities for poor families (providing acerola juice, repairing facility equipment, etc.)
Creation of jobs through internships for students, etc.
Provision of dental exams for employees and co-growers
3. Consideration for the Environment
Reduction of water consumption through technical guidance for efficient irrigation
Environmentally friendly industrial wastewater treatment using microorganisms
Effective use of pomace from juice production as feed for livestock and farmed sea bream (tai ), and acerola seed extract
Installation of solar panels on factory rooftop
Labor and human rights training for employees
Sustainability Assessment from an External Organization
In a sustainability survey by EcoVadis2 in 2023, Niagro received its first Platinum rating, the highest level, placing it in the top 1% of companies surveyed, based on its ongoing initiatives in the four survey categories—Environment, Labor and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. In the 2023 rating, Niagro was recognized in particular for its ongoing efforts with respect to labor and human rights.
EcoVadis Sustainability
2016–2020
2021, 2022
2023
Assessment Ratings
Silver
Gold
Platinum
*2A global institution that provides sustainability and supply chain assessments. As of June 2023, it has evaluated over 100,000 organizations and companies in 200 industries and 175 countries.
Providing the Diverse Value of Natural Vitamin C, Not Just for Juice
Acerola as a Clean Label Raw Material
Grown primarily in countries such as Brazil and Vietnam, acerola generates a large amount of natural vitamin C—about 34 times more than that found in lemon juice—so that it can withstand the intense tropical sunlight. However, another characteristic of acerola is that the natural vitamin C decreases as the fruit reddens and ripens. Therefore, it is harvested early while it still contains a large quantity of natural vitamin C, and processed into acerola powder. Acerola is currently the only food ingredient that is rich in natural vitamin C and can be produced on an industrial level. It is widely used in supplements, mainly in Europe and North America, and as a clean label raw material for bakery goods, processed meat products and other food products. Demand for acerola powder is expected to grow as the market for clean label raw materials continues to expand.
New Acerola Powder Production Line Established
To meet demand for acerola powder, which is attracting interest as a clean label raw material, Niagro added a new production line, which began producing acerola powder in June 2023. Since Niagro only handles the acerola fruit it purchases from its co-growers, traceability is guaranteed for the entire amount used to produce the powder. Niagro will nurture acerola powder into a new business pillar in addition to acerola juice.
Niagro’s new factory
Acerola powder