Yonkyu

Basic Information

Stock Code
9955
Industry
Wholesale Industry
Category Detail
Food Wholesalers
Prefecture
Ehime Prefecture
Establishment Year
April 1963
Listing Year
October 1993
Official Website
http://www.yonkyu.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Overview

Yonkyu is a regionally focused marine products trading company headquartered in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, founded in 1963, with its core businesses being the wholesale of aquatic products and the sale of juvenile fish and feed for aquaculture.

Current Situation

Yonkyu recorded consolidated net sales of approximately 40.3 billion yen, ordinary income of approximately 1.8 billion yen, and net income of approximately 1 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2017, maintaining a solid business foundation in regional aquatic product distribution. Its main businesses include fresh fish sales, production and sale of juvenile fish for aquaculture, and sale of feed and fodder. It has business locations in southern Kyushu and the Kanto region. The company is actively entering the aquaculture business, focusing on product development and distribution enhancement specialized for materials for tuna and eel farming. Through capital and business alliances with related companies, it aims to secure stable resource supply and improve technological capabilities, contributing to the revitalization of local industries. In recent years, with a focus on protecting fishery resources and reducing environmental impact, it is emphasizing improvements in aquaculture efficiency and promotion of environmentally friendly feed. In the medium to long term, it aims to expand the sustainable aquaculture market by strengthening processing technology and sales networks as strategic goals. As a long-established local company, it continues to build trust while striving to diversify its revenue base by expanding into new business areas.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Founded in 1963 as Shikoku Rapid Freezing Co., Ltd.
  • Top-class track record in the region for aquaculture juvenile production.
  • One of the few comprehensive wholesalers specialized in aquatic products nationwide.
  • Strength in freshness management with in-house logistics.
  • Early entry into tuna aquaculture business, contributing to quality improvement.
  • Actively participates in local fishery resource protection activities.
  • Shikoku Kyu Yuso is a key component of the group's logistics foundation.
  • Hibashira Aquamarine is a pioneer in tuna aquaculture.
  • The name 'Yonkyu' derives from its founding entity, Shikoku Rapid Freezing.
  • Expanding nationwide centered on Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture.

Hidden Connections

  • Major shareholders include local banks and fishery-related companies, indicating strong regional ties.
  • Jointly developing new aquaculture technologies with capital and business alliance partners.
  • Optimizes aquatic logistics through its subsidiary Shikoku Kyu Yuso.
  • Adopts joint investment model with fisheries cooperatives for tuna aquaculture business.
  • Collaborates with universities and research institutions on low-environmental-impact feed development.
  • Possesses direct distribution routes connecting local aquatic production areas with metropolitan markets.
  • In addition to providing and selling aquaculture materials, handles related services.
  • Collaborating with local Ehime Prefecture fishermen to develop production area brands.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Stable growth in domestic and international demand for aquatic products
  • Popularization and evolution of sustainable aquaculture technologies
  • Development of high-value-added products utilizing regional resources
  • Advancement of digitalization and efficiency in domestic distribution networks
  • Increasing demand for environmentally compliant products
  • Rising demand for seafood due to health consciousness
  • Technological innovations through industry-academia collaborations with related companies
  • Brand building through strengthened ties with local communities
  • Expansion of sales channels to overseas markets
  • Synergy creation through capital and business alliances

Strategic Goals

  • Become a leading company in sustainable aquaculture technology
  • Capture over 50% domestic share in environmentally friendly feed
  • Achieve 30% cost reduction through logistics efficiency
  • Establish new production area brands through regional collaboration
  • Promote business innovation through digital technology utilization
  • Build stable management base exceeding 50 billion yen in sales
  • Expand sales channels and diversify revenue in overseas markets
  • Strengthen CSR with emphasis on coexistence with local communities
  • Improve employee diversity and work-life balance
  • Fulfill social responsibilities for fishery resource protection

Business Segments

Aquatic Products Wholesale and Distribution

Overview
Distribution business stably supplying fresh fish and processed products mainly from local production areas.
Competitiveness
Strong regionally focused distribution network
Customers
  • Regional Fresh Fish Markets
  • Retailers
  • Restaurants
  • Aquatic Processors
  • Food Service Chains
Products
  • Fresh Fish
  • Processed Fillets
  • Processed Aquatic Products
  • Frozen Foods
  • Dried Fish

Aquaculture Juvenile Fish Production and Sales

Overview
Specialized business producing and supplying high-quality juveniles for aquaculture.
Competitiveness
Advanced production technology and fishery resource management capabilities
Customers
  • Aquaculture Farmers
  • Fisheries Cooperatives
  • Aquatic Research Institutions
Products
  • Tuna Juveniles
  • Eel Juveniles
  • Flounder Juveniles
  • Ayu Juveniles

Feed Sales

Overview
Manufactures and sells compound feed and fodder for farmed fish.
Competitiveness
Product development capabilities and quality control
Customers
  • Aquaculture Farmers
  • Livestock Farmers
  • Aquatic Processors
Products
  • Compound Feed
  • Single Feed
  • Special Feed

Logistics Services

Overview
Provides logistics and delivery services centered on fresh fish.
Competitiveness
Dedicated fresh fish logistics network via in-house transportation
Customers
  • Distributors
  • Retail Stores
  • Processors
Products
  • Frozen Logistics
  • General Cargo Transport

Aquaculture Business

Overview
Integrated business related to tuna and eel aquaculture.
Competitiveness
Accumulated regional collaboration and aquaculture technology
Customers
  • Tuna Aquaculture Farmers
  • Eel Aquaculture Farmers
  • Related Businesses
Products
  • Aquaculture Materials
  • Aquaculture Support Services

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Regionally focused distribution network
  • Advanced juvenile fish production technology for aquaculture
  • Fresh fish transportation system via in-house logistics
  • Extensive lineup of aquatic feed
  • Stable supply capabilities through capital and business alliances
  • Trust and brand as a long-established company
  • Diversified business expansion including group companies
  • Sourcing capabilities for local products
  • Proactive stance on fishery resource protection
  • Provision of high-quality processed products

Competitive Advantages

  • Strong market foundation built mainly in Ehime Prefecture
  • Region's largest share in production and sales of aquaculture juveniles
  • Traceability ensured through collaboration with group companies
  • Freshness retention in fresh fish distribution via in-house logistics division
  • Strong collaboration network with producers across Japan
  • Responds to customer needs with diverse feed products
  • Diversified business structure resilient to fluctuations in the fisheries industry
  • Stability through capital and business alliances with related companies
  • Enhanced customer loyalty through regionally specialized services
  • Advancement of technology development and environmentally friendly feed

Threats

  • Risk of raw material procurement due to depletion of fishery resources
  • Interruptions in production and logistics due to natural disasters
  • Demand contraction due to population decline in domestic market
  • Price pressure from intensifying international competition
  • Stricter regulations and environmental standards
  • Expansion of aquaculture disease risks
  • Increased imported feed costs due to exchange rate fluctuations
  • Competitors' technological innovations and market share expansion
  • Demand fluctuations due to changes in consumer preferences
  • Profit pressure from rising transportation costs

Innovations

2020: Strengthened Business Collaboration through Capital and Business Alliances

Overview
Collaboration with Maruha Nichiro and others to enhance feed supply and aquaculture.
Impact
Established stable supply system and expanded sales network.

2021: Commenced Production of Special Moist Pellet Feed

Overview
Began production of aquaculture feed with enhanced moisture retention performance.
Impact
Contributes to improved aquaculture efficiency and fish quality.

2022: Strengthened Collaboration with Hibashira Aquamarine

Overview
Advanced tuna aquaculture technology and expanded juvenile production.
Impact
Improved competitiveness in farmed tuna quality.

2023: Advancing R&D of Environmentally Friendly Feed

Overview
Developing low-environmental-impact feed for sustainable aquaculture.
Impact
Expanded rollout of products compliant with environmental regulations.

2024: Introduced Digitalization of Logistics

Overview
Implemented IT technologies in logistics management to achieve efficiency.
Impact
Achieved shortened delivery times and cost reductions.

Sustainability

  • Participation in sustainable fishery resource protection activities
  • Development and promotion of low-environmental-impact feed
  • Improvement of aquaculture environments through water purification technology introduction
  • Contribution to fisheries industry promotion through collaboration with local communities
  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through transportation efficiency
  • Thorough waste recycling
  • Introduction of energy-efficient factory equipment
  • Implementation of employee environmental awareness training
  • Internal system development for environmental certification acquisition
  • Promotion of sustainable fishery resource management