Meiji Holdings to Transfer China Dairy Business Units to Shanghai Aoyah Food

TOKYO, Jul 21 (Pulse News Wire) – Meiji Holdings CO.,LTD. (2269.T) announced that its board approved the sale of its dairy and yogurt businesses in China to Shanghai Aoyah Food Limited Company as part of a portfolio restructuring effort.

The transaction involves transferring shares of Mingzhi (China) Investment Co., Ltd., Mingzhi Dairy Tianjin Co., Ltd., and Mingzhi Dairy Suzhou Co., Ltd. The deal excludes intellectual property rights related to yogurt products and some brands. The total value of the transaction is approximately 7.600 billion based on the preliminary valuation of ¥320 million. Shanghai Aoyah Food's parent company, AustAsia Group Ltd.

(AUST.SI), operates primarily in raw milk production, beef cattle farming, and related industries in China. Meiji believes the integration with AustAsia’s existing operations could enhance operational efficiency and sales channels for the transferred businesses. The final price will be adjusted according to the target companies' net assets at the time of execution. Following the transaction, Meiji plans to enter into trademark licensing agreements with the buyer to ensure quality control and protect brand integrity.

The transaction is expected to close on December 31, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.