Meito

What Meito does

Meito (メイトー), legally Kyodo Milk Industry Co., Ltd. (協同乳業株式会社), is a privately-held Japanese dairy manufacturer headquartered in Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. Founded in 1991 and operating with 1,001-5,000 employees, the company produces and distributes a comprehensive portfolio of dairy and adjacent consumer products across eight categories: milk and dairy beverages, fruit juices and soft drinks, yogurt, cheese, desserts (puddings), ice cream, home-delivery products, and supplements. Core brands include the Nokyo (農協) Series, regional origin-specification milks (Tokyo Milk, Kyoto Milk, Aichi Milk, Shinshu Azumino Milk), the Homerun Bar (a pioneer of prize-winning ice bars in Japan), and しっかり濃厚4.4 rich milk beverage. Licensed co-branded SKUs include Dole fruit yogurts and Doutor coffee lattes.

The company's product technology is anchored by a proprietary Bifidobacterium LKM512 strain, marketed through yogurts certified as Food for Specified Health Uses (Tokuho) and Food with Function Claims for gut and vascular health. Meito also co-developed NSATOM® stand-up pouch packaging with Nippon Paper Industries, designed to deliver diced-fruit textural experiences in beverages, with the first commercial deployment in the Kakukaku Kajitsu Pixel Peach SKU. Manufacturing runs across 8 production bases (including subsidiaries), all certified under FSSC22000 and SQF food safety management systems as of March 2021, with internal audits, mechanical inspection, pre-shipment quality control, and an analytical center for raw material and allergen testing.

Meito's business model combines a retail distribution channel (convenience stores including a strategic Seven-Eleven Japan launch partnership reaching approximately 21,942 stores, plus supermarkets and drug stores nationwide) with a subscription home delivery service (メイトーの宅配) covering 17 prefectures in the Kanto, Chubu, and Kansai regions. Revenue is generated from one-time retail unit sales across the SKU portfolio (e.g., 228 yen per Pixel Peach unit) and recurring subscription revenue tied to scheduled home deliveries. Marketing reaches consumers through recipe content, official social channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook), and a direct e-commerce storefront at meitoonline.com.

Name

Meito

Legal name

協同乳業株式会社

Website

https://meito.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Meito (Kyodo Milk Industry Co., Ltd.) is a privately-held Japanese dairy manufacturer producing milk, yogurt, cheese, desserts, ice cream, juices, and functional probiotic products under brands including the Nokyo Series and Homerun Bar. It serves Japanese consumers through nationwide retail distribution at approximately 21,942 convenience stores and a 17-prefecture home delivery subscription service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy Products

NAICS

Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Fluid Milk Manufacturing (311511)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020), Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024)

akta.pro primary industry

Dairy-Based Beverages Manufacturing (Flavored Milk, Lassi, Drinkable Yogurt) (AFAKAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Yogurt & Cultured Dairy Products Manufacturing (Kefir, Sour Cream, Labneh) (AFAKAKAC), Frozen Yogurt Manufacturing (AFAHAEAC)

Keywords

• Dairy product manufacturing
• Milk and beverages
• Yogurt and cheese
• Ice cream products
• Functional probiotic foods

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Product Sales: Kyodo Milk generates revenue through the sale of dairy products, beverages, yogurt, cheese, desserts, and ice cream through retail channels including convenience stores, supermarkets, and drug stores nationwide in Japan.
2. Home Delivery Subscription: The company operates a home delivery service (メイトーの宅配) delivering dairy products directly to consumer homes on a regular schedule. This model provides recurring revenue with scheduled deliveries and offers exclusive functional products only available through home delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Meito (Kyodo Milk Industry Co., Ltd.) is a Japanese dairy manufacturer that produces and sells milk, dairy beverages, fruit juices, yogurt, cheese, puddings, ice cream, and functional probiotic foods under its core Nokyo Series and Meito brand. Products are sold through retail channels (convenience stores, supermarkets, drug stores) across Japan and through a direct home delivery subscription service covering 17 prefectures. The company also produces licensed products (e.g., Dole yogurt, Doutor coffee milk) and operates eight certified production bases.

Product overview

Meito (協同乳業株式会社) is a comprehensive dairy company operating as Kyodo Milk Industry Co., Ltd., offering a diverse portfolio of dairy products centered around its core Nokyo Series (農協シリーズ) brand. The product lineup spans eight main categories: milk and dairy beverages (牛乳・乳飲料), fruit juices and soft drinks (果汁・清涼飲料水), yogurt including functional foods (ヨーグルト), cheese products (チーズ類), desserts such as puddings (デザート), ice cream (アイス), home delivery products (宅配商品), and supplements (サプリメント). Key product lines include regional specialty milks from Shinshu Azumino, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Aichi prefectures; the Nokyo Yogurt series with functional probiotic products; Meito puddings including smooth custard and melt-in-mouth varieties; and various cheese products including cream cheese, sour cream, and cottage cheese. The company also produces licensed products including Dole fruit yogurts and Doutor coffee lattes. Meito operates a home delivery service delivering products exclusively available through this channel, covering the Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, and surrounding regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 農協シリーズ (Nokyo Series): Product series carrying the thoughts of dairy farmers, featuring natural ingredients
• 東京牛乳 (Tokyo Milk)
• しっかり浓厚4.4
• ホームランバー (Homerun Bar)

Products and services

• Nokyo Milk (農協牛乳) Core electrically sterilized milk and dairy beverages from the Nokyo Series, designed to retain natural flavor while delivering a clean aftertaste; sold to Japanese consumers across retail and home delivery. Available in 1000ml, 500ml, and 200ml formats.
• Nokyo Series (農協シリーズ) Multi-category product brand line carrying the 'heartfelt thoughts of dairy farmers' positioning, covering milk, yogurt, fruit juices, and ice cream with regional specialty milks from Shinshu Azumino, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Aichi prefectures. For Japanese consumers seeking dairy with regional traceability.
• Delicious Kyoto Milk (京都の美味しい牛乳) Regional designated milk made from raw milk sourced in Kyoto and processed at Kyoto factories; contains minimum 8.3% non-fat milk solids and 3.5% milk fat, with a 13-day shelf life. For Japanese consumers in regional retail channels.
• Delicious Aichi Milk (おいしい愛知牛乳) Regional designated milk collected from Aichi dairy farmers and processed at the Inuyama factory in Aichi Prefecture. For Japanese consumers seeking locally sourced Aichi milk.
• Tokyo Milk (多摩酪農家発 東京牛乳) Tokyo-brand regional designated milk jointly developed with the Tokyo Dairy Farming Cooperative and Tama area dairy farmers, containing minimum 8.4% non-fat milk solids and 3.6% milk fat. For consumers in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
• Shikkari Noukou 4.4 (しっかり濃厚4.4) Rich, milk-flavored dairy beverage with 4.4% milk fat content, positioned as a luxurious and satisfying taste experience. Available in 500ml and 1000ml sizes for Japanese retail consumers.
• Nokyo Yogurt (農協ヨーグルト) Premium plain yogurt made exclusively from Shinshu raw milk meeting 'Tokusen' standards, using B1 lactic acid bacteria combined with multiple strains for a low-acid, easy-to-eat flavor; packaged in environmentally friendly paper cups.
• Onaka Sukkiri Yogurt (おなかすっきりヨーグルト) Functional food yogurt containing Bifidobacterium LKM512, designed to survive stomach acid, reach the intestines alive, and multiply to improve bowel movements. For health-conscious Japanese consumers seeking gut health benefits.
• Onaka ni Oishii Yogurt — Tokuho / Food for Specified Health Uses (特定保健用食品 おなかにおいしいヨーグルト) Tokuho-certified (Food for Specified Health Uses) yogurt containing living Bifidobacterium LKM512 that reaches intestines alive. Made with over 50% raw milk for smooth, creamy flavor. Targets Japanese consumers seeking regulatory-grade functional health benefits.
• Meito Smooth Pudding (メイトーのなめらかプリン) Smooth-textured steamed pudding made with abundant raw milk and eggs and enhanced with cream for richness. 105g size with a 15-day shelf life. Sold to Japanese consumers as a premium dessert.
• Meito Custard Pudding (メイトーのカスタードプリン) Long-selling steamed custard pudding emphasizing natural ingredients (eggs, raw milk, sugar) and balanced caramel sauce. A flagship dessert product for Japanese retail consumers.
• Meito Cream Cheese (メイトーのクリームチーズ) Smooth, mellow-flavored fresh cream cheese popular among professional bakers and home cooks for confectionery and cooking applications. Contains 30.0% milk fat, 100g size, 121-day shelf life.
• Meito Sour Cream (メイトーのサワークリーム) Rich and smooth-tasting sour cream fermented with lactic acid bacteria from cream, suitable for topping, mixing, and spreading. Manufactured at the Shinshu factory for Japanese retail and food service consumers.
• Cottage Cheese (カッテージチーズ) Healthy fresh cheese made from 100% Hokkaido raw milk; low-fat, low-calorie, high-protein. Available in grain type (110g/220g) and smooth puree type (200g) for Japanese health-conscious consumers.
• Homerun Bar (ホームランバー) Pioneer of prize-winning ice cream bars in Japan, sold in multiple flavors including vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and soda float. A flagship snack-ice product for Japanese consumers.
• Nokyo Milk Coffee (農協ミルク珈琲) Coffee milk beverage using stable-quality raw milk from Aomori Prefecture linked with JA Yuki Aomori, with a mild sweet aftertaste using Hokkaido beet sugar. For Japanese consumers seeking ready-to-drink coffee milk.
• Dole Strawberry Mix Yogurt (ドール®ストロベリーミックス&ヨーグルト) Fruit yogurt combining sweet strawberries with white peach and raspberry puree, manufactured under license from Dole. 170g size with 20-day shelf life; for Japanese consumers seeking branded fruit yogurt.
• Doutor Abundant Raw Milk Latte (ドトール 生乳たっぷりラテ) Rich canned/coffee milk latte using abundant raw milk and Hokkaido cream with espresso-extracted aromatic coffee. Manufactured under brand collaboration with Doutor Coffee. 200g size, 120-day shelf life.
• Kakukaku Kajitsu Pixel Peach (カクカクカジツ ピクセルピーチ) Peach-flavored beverage with diced fruit chunks launched in collaboration with Seven-Eleven Japan and Kayac; features innovative NSATOM® stand-up pouch packaging co-developed with Nippon Paper Industries that delivers a 'goro goro' textural drinking experience where peach chunks flow through the spout. Priced at 228 yen per unit at approximately 21,942 7-Eleven stores nationwide in Japan.
• Meito Home Delivery (メイトーの宅配) Direct home delivery subscription service delivering regular shipments of Meito dairy products to consumer homes on a recurring schedule. Covers Tokyo, Saitama, Kanagawa, Chiba, Ibaraki, Gunma, Tochigi, Yamanashi, Nagano, Aichi, Mie, Gifu, Shizuoka, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, and Nara prefectures. Provides access to exclusive functional products not available at retail.

Quantifiable outcome

• FSSC22000 and SQF certification obtained at all 8 production bases
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Seven-Eleven JapancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 June 2026Seven-Eleven Japan collaborated with Kyodo Milk and Kayac to launch the Kakukaku Kajitsu Pixel Peach product nationwide at approximately 21,942 stores. Seven-Eleven Japan provides the retail distribution channel for the innovative peach-flavored beverage featuring NSATOM® packaging.
• KayaccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Kayac contributed creative packaging design for the Kakukaku Kajitsu Pixel Peach, visually representing pixelated fruit pieces tied to the product's digital-themed name. The packaging features innovative design elements for the NSATOM® packaging system.
• Nippon Paper IndustriescoreTechnology or Integration · 23 June 2026Nippon Paper Industries developed the NSATOM® innovative packaging in collaboration with Kyodo Milk. This special packaging delivers a 'goro goro' textural experience where peach chunks flow through the spout during drinking.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Yakult Honsha: Japanese dairy and probiotic beverage leader famous for Yakult lactobacillus drinks. Highly comparable to Meito's functional yogurt positioning with LKM512, sharing health-functional positioning and home delivery heritage.
• Meiji Holdings: Major Japanese dairy and confectionery conglomerate with overlapping product lines in milk beverages (Meiji Milk), yogurt, ice cream (Essel Super Cup, Galbo), and cheese. Closely comparable GTM through nationwide retail and similar functional food positioning.
• Megmilk Snow Brand: Leading Japanese dairy company producing milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream (Megu, Snow Brand Megmilk). Direct competitor with nationwide retail distribution and similar product portfolio breadth to Meito.
• Morinaga Milk Industry: One of Japan's largest dairy manufacturers producing milk, yogurt, ice cream, and desserts. Direct competitor to Meito across nearly every product category, with broader scale and stronger brand recognition (e.g., Morinaga Milk, Mt. RAINIER, Pino).
• Häagen-Dazs Japan (Nestlé Japan): Premium ice cream brand operated in Japan by Nestlé Japan, competing directly with Meito's Homerun Bar and frozen yogurt products in the same retail and convenience-store channels.

Broad incumbents

• Ezaki Glico: Major Japanese confectionery and dairy company producing ice cream (Pino, Papico) and desserts. Overlaps with Meito's ice cream and dessert (pudding) lines, with much broader scale and brand investment.
• Danone Japan: Japanese arm of global dairy giant Danone, producing yogurt (Oikos, Activia) and functional dairy products. Competes with Meito in cultured dairy but as part of a much broader global portfolio with significantly greater scale and marketing budgets.

Emerging players

• Lotte (Japan): Korean-Japanese conglomerate with ice cream and dairy-adjacent products. Competes with Meito's frozen treats and snacks in convenience-store channels, with growing focus on premium dairy-adjacent formats.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/meito_kyodomilk
• Facebookfacebook.com/meito.kyodomilk
• Instagraminstagram.com/kyodomilk1953

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Meito