What Summit Trading does

Summit Trading Company LLC is a UAE-based wholesale distributor and importer of authentic Japanese food products, tableware, and kitchen equipment, founded in 1977 in Abu Dhabi. The company serves B2B customers including top-tier hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets across the UAE and broader Middle East, and holds an estimated 70% share of Japanese food imports into the UAE. Its product catalog spans more than 2,000 food SKUs (dry, chilled, and frozen items including miso, sushi rice, udon, wagyu, frozen tuna, and seasonal fresh produce) and over 50,000 tableware varieties sourced from Japanese brands such as Tokiwa, Magokoro, Yasuragi, Gito, and EBM. Approximately 80% of products are sourced directly from Japanese manufacturers, cooperatives, and distributors through a JV structure that combines a 51% UAE local sponsor stake with 49% ownership by Cosmo Trade & Service Co., Ltd. of Japan.

The business operates across five revenue streams: B2B wholesale distribution, B2C e-commerce via Summit Webstore (launched July 2020), corporate catering, kitchen equipment and tableware distribution, and restaurant operations through Summit Hinomaru Shokudo (launched June 2021 in Abu Dhabi). Distribution is anchored by headquarters in Abu Dhabi (City Seasons Hotel Complex, Electra Street) and a branch office in Dubai (DIP-2), with export activity extending to neighboring Middle East markets. Fresh produce is supplied on twice-weekly schedules to meet hospitality demand. The company holds ISO 9001:2015, HACCP, and OHSAS 18001:2007 / 45001:2018 certifications and has secured multiple first-of-kind designations from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), including the first MAFF-certified online-only business in the Middle East and Africa (Summit Webstore, 2020) and the first MAFF-certified restaurant in Abu Dhabi (Summit Hinomaru Shokudo, 2021).

The go-to-market is sales-led with quote-based B2B pricing through direct sales representatives, supplemented by an owned e-commerce platform for individual consumers and brand-building activity across PR, social media, and a MAFF-aligned Instagram presence. Strategic positioning is reinforced by the 2019 appointment of Managing Director Shiro Ohkubo as MAFF Goodwill Ambassador for Japanese Cuisine in the Middle East and Africa — the first such appointment for the region — and by JETRO's certification of Summit as a "Supporter of Japanese Food Products" overseas. As of January 2026, the company employs 203 people.

Name

Summit Trading

Legal name

SUMMIT TRADING COMPANY LLC

Website

https://summit.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Summit Trading Company LLC, founded in 1977 in Abu Dhabi, is the UAE's dominant distributor of authentic Japanese food products, tableware, and kitchen equipment, serving hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and consumers through wholesale, e-commerce, catering, and restaurant operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution of Japanese Food Products: B2B wholesale distribution of authentic Japanese dry, chilled, and frozen foods, wagyu beef, frozen tuna, fresh vegetables, seafood, and seasonal fruits to restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and local companies across the UAE and Middle East.
2. E-commerce Retail (Summit Webstore): B2C e-commerce platform launched in July 2020 for individual consumers and home cooks, offering delivery service across the UAE.
3. Corporate Catering: Corporate catering services providing Japanese cuisine to business clients, including training and development of workforce for food service in client premises.
4. Kitchen Equipment and Tableware Distribution: Import and distribution of Japanese kitchen equipment, tableware, and related items including Tatami mat flooring, Sushi Neta Case, and Bento boxes. Brands include Tokiwa, Magokoro, Yasuragi, Gito, and EBM collection.
5. Restaurant Operations (Summit Hinomaru Shokudo): First restaurant in Abu Dhabi certified by MAFF, launched in 2020, catering to the growing demand for Japanese cuisine in the Middle East.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Summit Trading is a wholesaler, importer, and distributor of authentic Japanese food products, tableware, and kitchen equipment, with corporate catering and e-commerce retail operations. The company stocks more than 2,000 Japanese food SKUs (dry, chilled, frozen, and fresh items) and 50,000+ varieties of Japanese tableware, sourced directly from Japanese manufacturers and cooperatives. It serves B2B customers such as restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets across the UAE and Middle East, and B2C customers through the Summit Webstore and its own restaurant, Summit Hinomaru Shokudo.

Product overview

Summit Trading Company LLC is a Japanese food import/export and distribution company established in 1977, serving as the oldest and largest Japanese food distributor in the Middle East. The company operates a multi-channel business model comprising three core product lines: (1) Japanese Food Products (dry, frozen, and fresh items sourced directly from Japan, with over 2000 products), (2) Japanese Table Ware and Kitchen Equipment (imported from Japanese factories with 50,000+ varieties), and (3) Corporate Catering services. The company has expanded into retail with Summit Webstore (B2C e-commerce platform) and dining with Summit Hinomaru Shokudo (Japanese Kitchen restaurant in Abu Dhabi), both certified by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Summit Hinomaru Shokudo: Japanese Kitchen restaurant in Abu Dhabi - the first restaurant in Abu Dhabi certified by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan
• Summit Webstore

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of Japanese food in the UAE is supplied by Summit Trading
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), JapancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2019Summit Trading was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for Japanese Cuisine in the Middle East and Africa region. Mr. Shiro Ohkubo, Managing Director, was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador to promote Japanese food culture and cuisine both domestically and internationally. This is the first such appointment in history for the Middle East and Africa region.
• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertified as 'Supporter of Japanese Food Products' overseas by JETRO's Department of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food. The certification program recognizes restaurants and retailers that use and sell Japanese ingredients to promote Japanese agricultural and food products globally.
• Japanese Manufacturers and CooperativescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSummit Trading works closely with Japanese manufacturers, cooperatives, and distributors, sourcing 80% of its products directly from Japan. Brands include Tokiwa, Magokoro, Yasuragi, Gito, and EBM collection for tableware; Glico for confectionery; Iwatani for gas stoves; and MY SHALDAN for air fresheners.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Barakat Group of Companies: Barakat is one of the largest fresh produce and food distribution companies in the UAE, supplying supermarkets, hotels, and foodservice operators across the region. Comparable to Summit as a UAE-based food distributor serving the same regional B2B customer base across multiple food categories, though broader in product mix.
• Kibsons International: Kibsons is a UAE-based food distribution company specializing in fresh produce, meat, seafood, and gourmet products for B2C and B2B customers in the UAE and GCC. Comparable to Summit as a UAE food distributor with overlapping B2B and B2C customer channels and similar operational footprint in the region.

Broad incumbents

• Metro AG: Metro AG operates a leading international self-service wholesale and food service distribution business (METRO/MAKRO Cash & Carry) across Europe and Asia, serving both B2B and B2B2C customers with food and non-food products. Comparable business model to Summit in B2B wholesale with multi-channel customer reach and scale advantages.
• Sysco Corporation: Sysco is the largest broadline foodservice distributor globally, distributing a wide range of food products to restaurants, healthcare, and hospitality customers. While not Japanese-specialized, its scale and broad product portfolio position it as a potential competitive entrant into the Japanese food niche in the Middle East.
• Bidcorp Group: Bidcorp is a multinational food service distribution group operating in over 30 countries, distributing food products to restaurants, hotels, and caterers. Serves as a relevant broad-line foodservice comparator to Summit's B2B food distribution operations across diverse geographies.
• Sojitz Corporation: Sojitz is a Japanese general trading company (sogo shosha) with significant overseas food distribution operations, including Japanese food product imports across multiple regions. Relevant comparable to Summit's Japan-origin B2B food distribution model, albeit at vastly larger scale and broader product portfolio.

Direct peers

• Tazaki Foods: Tazaki Foods is a Japanese-affiliated specialty distributor of Asian and Japanese food products serving the foodservice and retail sectors primarily in the UK and Europe. It operates a comparable model of authentic Japanese ingredient importation and B2B/B2C distribution to Summit Trading.
• Wismettac Foods (Nishimoto Trading): Wismettac Foods is a Japanese and Asian food ingredient distributor operating across the Americas, EMEA and Asia, supplying restaurants, food manufacturers, and retailers with imported authentic Japanese ingredients. Highly comparable to Summit in business model serving Japanese food verticals across multiple geographies.
• JFC International: JFC International is a leading Japanese food importer and distributor in North America, importing authentic Japanese food products, tableware, and kitchen equipment to serve restaurants, retailers, and consumers. It is the closest direct comparable to Summit Trading given the parallel Japanese-focused B2B/B2C distribution model and 60+ year operating history.
• Japan Centre Group: Japan Centre Group operates Japanese food retail stores and restaurants primarily in the UK, with complementary wholesale distribution to professional and consumer customers. Comparable to Summit's combined retail/restaurant and wholesale approach centered on authentic Japanese cuisine.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/summitjapanese
• Facebookfacebook.com/SUMMIT.AE
• Instagraminstagram.com/japanesecuisine_uae
• Pinterestin.pinterest.com/summittfoods
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/summit-trading-co-llc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Summit Trading