Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF) of Thailand and NH Foods Ltd of Japan have established a new joint venture called CPF NH Foods Co Ltd, with the aim of enhancing the processed pork business.
The new venture, a partnership between CPF Food and Beverage Co Ltd (CPFFB), a subsidiary of CPF, and NH Foods Ltd, will focus on developing, producing and marketing processed pork products for consumers in Thailand and key export markets such as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other Asian nations.
Under this strategic partnership, NH Foods will leverage its global leadership in product development and advanced manufacturing technologies, while CPFFB will supply premium pork raw materials that meet international food safety standards, supported by its extensive distribution network across Thailand and regional markets.
CPF’s modern processing facility in Chachoengsao province will serve as the production hub.
Prasit Boondoungprasert, chief executive of CPF, said the joint venture is an important development for Thailand’s meat industry. With an investment of 1.8 billion baht, CPF has a 51% stake in the joint venture while NH Foods holds 49%.
The new company plans to launch processed pork products under the CP-NH brand in the second quarter of 2026, expecting to generate sales of about 1.7-1.8 billion baht in the first year, with around 90% anticipated to come from the domestic market.
Mr Prasit said the company intends to boost export sales so that they account for 40% of total sales, targeting Asian markets including Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.
The company aims to increase sales to 2.3 billion baht in the next three years and reach 3 billion baht within the next five years.
Mr Prasit said that with this joint venture, the company expects to accelerate the development of its processed pork business, which currently lacks variety, and repeat the success of CPF’s processed chicken products.
CPF currently produces 6 million pigs a year, while Thailand’s overall production is nearly 20 million.
This collaboration is expected to rapidly enhance the pork sector’s development, leveraging CPF’s extensive experience in working with Japanese companies, he said.
Mr Prasit said the Thai pork industry is recognised for its use of local content such as domestic raw materials and labour, resulting in high-quality pork. The establishment of CPF NH Foods marks a significant milestone in uniting the strengths of two of Asia’s foremost food enterprises.
“By integrating CPF’s end-to-end distribution network and raw material sourcing with NH Foods’ advanced product development and manufacturing standards, we are setting new standards in food manufacturing — delivering premium-quality processed food to consumers across Asia,” said Mr Prasit.
Nobuhisa Ikawa, president and chief executive of NH Foods, said the firm decided to form a joint venture with CPF to expand its export markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and North America.
“NH Foods possesses strong know-how and technology and began discussions with CPF last year, leading to an agreement to jointly expand the markets, primarily in Asia,” Mr Ikawa said.
The partnership builds on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between CPF and NH Foods last year. Under that alliance, CPF imported premium-grade beef from NH Foods for distribution in Thailand.
The success of that collaboration laid the foundation for this latest joint venture, which aims to further enhance both companies’ competitiveness and ensure sustainable growth across Asia’s fast-evolving food landscape, Mr Ikawa said.