S. Ishimitsu
S. Ishimitsu (石光商事株式会社) is a Kobe-headquartered, Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed food trading company founded in 1906 that imports, processes, and distributes coffee, tea, and food products through five domestic branches and four overseas subsidiaries, serving food manufacturers, CVS chains, foodservice operators, and overseas food buyers across 15+ producing countries.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1906
- HeadquartersKobe, Japan
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What S. Ishimitsu does
S. Ishimitsu (S.ISHIMITSU & CO., LTD., TYO:2750) is a Japan-based, publicly listed professional food trading company founded in 1906 and headquartered in Kobe. The company imports, processes, and distributes coffee, tea, and a broad range of food products. Its core operations span green coffee bean sourcing from 15+ producing countries, tea procurement from India and Sri Lanka, and downstream roasted/processed coffee manufacturing through its wholly owned subsidiary Allied Coffee Roasters Co., Ltd. — described as one of Japan's largest coffee roasting operations following the 2024 merger of its Tokyo and Kansai roaster subsidiaries. Supporting product lines include processed foods (canned goods, olive oil), frozen prepared foods (fried/roasted chicken), aquatic products (shrimp, squid, octopus), and agricultural products (bamboo shoots, onions), along with a third-party export trade for Japanese food products targeting Southeast Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. The company also operates proprietary sustainability-certified sub-brands including Green Roasting (100% biomass-fuel roasting with zero fossil fuels), Carbon Offset (verified emission offsets across the full lifecycle), and BIO RECOVERY (degraded land restoration in Brazil).
The company earns revenue through four primary streams: (1) B2B transaction-based sales of imported green coffee, tea, and food raw materials to food manufacturers, CVS, foodservice chains, and mass retailers, conducted via direct sales personnel across five domestic branches (Kobe HQ, Tokyo, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo); (2) OEM manufacturing and sale of roasted coffee products through Allied Coffee Roasters to foodservice and retail channels; (3) overseas export of Japanese food products via four international subsidiaries in China (Shanghai), Thailand (Bangkok), India (Coimbatore), and the UK (joint venture with JFLA Holdings), supplemented by triangular trade; and (4) direct-to-consumer sales through two proprietary e-commerce sites (the Ishimitsu Online Store launched in March 2021 and Allied Coffee Roasters' EC site) selling the Ati-cafe self-brand and other premium single-origin products. The company holds FSSC22000 food safety and ISO14001 environmental management certifications across multiple sites, and serves an enterprise customer base across Japan's food manufacturing, retail, and foodservice sectors alongside selected overseas food buyers.
S. Ishimitsu firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- S. Ishimitsu
- Legal name
- 石光商事株式会社 S.ISHIMITSU & CO.,LTD.
- Website
- https://ishimitsu.co.jp
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1906
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- S. Ishimitsu (石光商事株式会社) is a Kobe-headquartered, Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed food trading company founded in 1906 that imports, processes, and distributes coffee, tea, and food products through five domestic branches and four overseas subsidiaries, serving food manufacturers, CVS chains, foodservice operators, and overseas food buyers across 15+ producing countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
S. Ishimitsu industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Food Trading and Distribution
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311), Food and Beverage Retailers (445)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141), Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Specialty Ingredients & Import Markets (CRAHAFAL)
Keywords
Where S. Ishimitsu is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kobe
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices13 records
Markets served
S. Ishimitsu business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- 咖啡・紅茶进口及销售: 从15个以上国家进口咖啡生豆、紅茶原料,销售给国内焙煎业者、食品制造商、CVS、外食チェーン等。
- 食品进口及销售: 进口和销售加工食品(罐装、冷冻食品、水产品、农产品、调味料等),向国内食品制造商、CVS、外食、零售商供货。
- 日本食品出口: 向海外(东南亚、大洋洲、欧洲、非洲等)出口日本食品、饮料、酒类等。同时进行三角贸易。
- 咖啡产品制造及销售: 通过集团子公司アライドコーヒーロースターズ(日本最大级焙煎业者)及A.Tosh Ishimitsu Beverages India Private Limited生产并销售咖啡产品、紅茶产品。
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Green Coffee Beans - single origin specialty coffees |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Corporate/B2B pricing for food ingredients |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ati-cafe brand coffee products (self-owned brand) |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
S. Ishimitsu product offering
Product offeringCore offering
S. Ishimitsu is a professional food trading company engaged in the import, processing, and sale of coffee, tea, and food products. Its main customers are food manufacturers, CVS chains, restaurant chains, and wholesalers served via dedicated sales staff who handle the full chain from raw material procurement to sales. The group also exports Japanese food, beverages, and alcoholic beverages through overseas subsidiaries and engages in triangular trade.
Product overview
S. Ishimitsu is a food trading company with a portfolio of interconnected product lines centered on the coffee and food import/export business. The core offering spans green coffee beans sourced from 15+ countries, tea products from India and Sri Lanka, and roasted/processed coffee products manufactured by subsidiary Allied Coffee Roasters Corporation. Supporting product categories include processed foods (canned goods, olive oil), frozen prepared foods (fried chicken, roasted chicken), aquatic products (shrimp, squid, octopus), and agricultural products (bamboo shoots, onions). The company also operates an export business for Japanese food products and maintains self-certified environmental marks (Green Roasting, Carbon Offset). Products are distributed through food service, retail, and industrial channels, with some available via the company's own EC stores (Ishimitsu Online Store and Allied Coffee EC).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ati-cafe: Self-brand coffee product line concepted around 'gentleness', supervised by J.C.Q.A. certified coffee appraiser.
Products and services
- Green Coffee Beans Premium green coffee beans sourced from over 15 countries with dedicated area managers for each producing country, sold to food manufacturers, coffee roasters, and industrial buyers in Japan.
- Tea Leaves Tea leaf products sourced primarily from India and Sri Lanka, including Darjeeling tea from Teesta Valley tea garden and Dilma tea from Sri Lanka through Tea Tang, with over 35 years of partnership.
- Roasted and Processed Coffee Products (Allied Coffee Roasters) Roasted and processed coffee products manufactured by wholly-owned subsidiary Allied Coffee Roasters, serving food service, industrial, and home use segments. FSSC 22000 certified and one of Japan's largest roasting operators.
- Processed Food Products Processed food products including canned mushrooms, fish fries, olive oil, bamboo shoots, and various canned/preserved items for food service and retail.
- Frozen Prepared Foods Frozen prepared food products including fried chicken, roasted chicken, steamed chicken, and various chicken processed items for food service and retail.
- Aquatic Products Aquatic products including shrimp processed products, squid processed products, and octopus processed products. Promotes BAP-certified sustainable aquaculture products.
- Agricultural Products Agricultural products including bamboo shoots and onions sourced from China, USA, New Zealand, Australia, and domestic Japan, serving food manufacturers, CVS, supermarket, food service, and trading companies.
- Japanese Food Export Business Export of Japanese food products including seasonings, processed foods, seafood, sweets, and alcoholic beverages to Southeast Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa. Also engages in third-country trade and develops products tailored to overseas customer needs.
- Ati-cafe Self-Brand Coffee Line Self-brand coffee product line with concept of 'gentleness' (やさしさ), supervised by J.C.Q.A. certified coffee appraiser, sold through specialty coffee shops and Allied Coffee Roasters EC store.
- Global Goals Coffee Drip coffee bags roasted using biocoke biomass fuel made from spent coffee grounds, developed jointly with Kindai University. Environmentally conscious product contributing to SDGs.
- Ishimitsu Online Store (EC Channel) Own EC storefront selling coffee, tea, and food products directly to general consumers, including environmentally conscious products and original coffee lines.
- Quality of Coffee Platform Specialized website dedicated to S. Ishimitsu's coffee quality expertise, showcasing the company's coffee knowledge and capabilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 通过BIO RECOVERY项目,计划2030年前每年恢复14公顷退化土地
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use S. Ishimitsu
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
S. Ishimitsu technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
S. Ishimitsu partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- 株式会社 JFLA ホールディングスcore石光商事与JFLA控股公司签订业务合作协议,在英国设立合资公司。在英国及EU圏内开展日本食材、饮料的制造加工、流通、销售业务,结合石光商事的进出口功能与JFLA在该地区的流通销售功能,创造协同效应。
- キーコーヒー株式会社core石光商事与キーコーヒー株式会社于2023年4月28日签订资本业务合作协议。两家公司此前已有良好的合作关系,此次合作旨在进一步加强双方的优势互补和经营资源共享,实现企业价值提升和中长期可持续发展。
- 近畿大学(バイオコークス研究所)core与近畿大学共同开发了使用咖啡渣制成的生物燃料'BIO COKES(バイオコークス)',用于咖啡烘焙。与近畿大学共同推进循环型国产能源开发和BIO RECOVERY PROJECT(バイオリカバリープロジェクト)等环境项目。
- テスタバレイ社 (Teesta Valley Tea Estate, インド)core与印度ダージリン地区的テスタバレイ社合作进行可持续达而吉兰紅茶项目。通过茶树更新换代提高ダージリン紅茶的可持续生产,共同保护环境。
- Tea Tang社 (スリランカ)core与斯里兰卡Tea Tang公司建立了35年以上的合作关系,从斯里兰卡各产地进口高质量紅茶,共同开发符合日本消费者喜好的紅茶产品。
- アライドコーヒーロースターズ株式会社core合并而成的子公司(2024年由东京アライドコーヒーロースターズ和関西アライドコーヒーロースターズ合并),从事咖啡生豆焙煎及常规咖啡加工销售。持有FSSC22000认证。
- ユーエスフーズ株式会社core子公司(1999年收购),从事咖啡生豆销售及小分加工业务,支持全国的自家焙煎咖啡店。
- シナネン株式会社minor向子公司东京アライドコーヒーロースターズ提供オフサイトコーポレートPPA再生可能エネルギー电力供给。使用未电力化的太阳能发电站所发电力和可再生能源证书,实现100%可再生能源使用。
- World Coffee Research (WCR)minor2020年成为WCR的支持成员。WCR是以咖啡生产的可持续发展和品质维持提高为使命的非营利组织,进行气候变动应对和品种开发研究。石光商事通过支持WCR的活动,推进可持续咖啡生产。
- 一般財団法人 日本次世代企業普及機構(ホワイト財団)minor石光商事连续6年获得'ホワイト企業認定PLATINUM'认证。
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights3 records
S. Ishimitsu competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Itochu Corporation: One of Japan's major sogo shosha (general trading houses). Overlaps with S. Ishimitsu's food import/export operations at a much larger scale, including coffee, tea, and processed food categories.
- UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd. Japan's largest coffee roaster by retail brand share, with full vertical integration from green bean import to canned coffee and retail products. Directly comparable in coffee roasting/manufacturing step; S. Ishimitsu's Allied Coffee Roasters competes in the same OEM and B2B channels.
- Asahi Group Holdings (Asahi Soft Drinks): Major Japanese beverage group with coffee, tea, and RTD categories. Comparable in coffee manufacturing and B2B beverage supply, though Asahi operates at massive consumer-brand scale relative to S. Ishimitsu's OEM-focused subsidiaries.
- AGF (味の素AGF): Subsidiary of Ajinomoto and one of Japan's largest coffee/wellness beverage brands. Competes with S. Ishimitsu's Allied Coffee Roasters in retail packaged coffee and OEM/private label, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader consumer brand portfolio.
- DyDo Group Holdings: Vending machine-focused beverage company with coffee and tea manufacturing. Comparable in coffee/beverage manufacturing and B2B food service supply, though DyDo's distribution is concentrated in vending retail.
- Pokka Sapporo Food & Beverage: Major Japanese beverage manufacturer including RTD coffee and tea. Overlaps with S. Ishimitsu's OEM roasted coffee supply and food service channels, though Pokka operates primarily as a branded consumer goods company rather than a trader.
Direct peers
- Key Coffee Inc. Japan's iconic coffee importer and roaster with a 100+ year history. Now also a strategic capital partner of S. Ishimitsu. Highly comparable in product mix (green beans, roasted coffee, OEM) and customer base (food service, retail). Overlap is significant enough that they are direct competitors in B2B coffee and tea trading.
- Nishimoto Trading Co., Ltd. Specialized Japanese food importer and wholesaler, particularly strong in Asian and processed foods to foodservice and retail. Closely comparable to S. Ishimitsu's food business segment (processed foods, frozen, aquatic), with a similar B2B-only model and overseas sourcing footprint.
Regional players
- Hayashibara Co., Ltd. Japanese food ingredient manufacturer and trader. Operates in adjacent food-trading activities domestically, with some overlap in specialty ingredients and B2B supply to food manufacturers.
Others
- World Coffee Research: Non-profit industry research organization focused on coffee variety development and climate adaptation. S. Ishimitsu is a supporting member; not a commercial peer but a strategic ecosystem partner for sustainable coffee sourcing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
S. Ishimitsu social profiles
Digital presenceS. Ishimitsu compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
S. Ishimitsu financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
S. Ishimitsu leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
S. Ishimitsu subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
S. Ishimitsu funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
S. Ishimitsu M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about S. Ishimitsu
What does S. Ishimitsu do?
S. Ishimitsu is a professional food trading company engaged in the import, processing, and sale of coffee, tea, and food products. Its main customers are food manufacturers, CVS chains, restaurant chains, and wholesalers served via dedicated sales staff who handle the full chain from raw material procurement to sales. The group also exports Japanese food, beverages, and alcoholic beverages through overseas subsidiaries and engages in triangular trade.
Is S. Ishimitsu a public or private company?
S. Ishimitsu is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was S. Ishimitsu founded?
S. Ishimitsu was founded in 1906. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is S. Ishimitsu based?
S. Ishimitsu is headquartered in Kobe, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does S. Ishimitsu make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. 咖啡・紅茶进口及销售 is the primary driver. The others are 食品进口及销售, 日本食品出口 and 咖啡产品制造及销售.
Who are S. Ishimitsu's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Itochu Corporation, UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd., Asahi Group Holdings (Asahi Soft Drinks), AGF (味の素AGF), DyDo Group Holdings and Pokka Sapporo Food & Beverage. Direct peers are Key Coffee Inc. and Nishimoto Trading Co., Ltd.. Hayashibara Co., Ltd. is listed as a regional player. World Coffee Research is listed as an others.
Does S. Ishimitsu have an API?
No public API is recorded for S. Ishimitsu.
What industry is S. Ishimitsu in?
S. Ishimitsu's product category is Food Trading and Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAHAFAL, International Specialty Ingredients & Import Markets. Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 5141.