CORPORATE DATA

A bridge connecting the world and the dining table.

UNION's greatest strength is our ability to work closely with overseas production areas to meet the needs of our customers by quickly delivering safe, high-quality fruits and vegetables verified by Japanese people with Japanese eyes and tastes.

By carrying out consistent planning and coordination from purchasing to sales, based on our global fruit and vegetable procurement network, and our quality control and delivery systems, we have realized stable supply. By continuing to develop new markets, we have maintained superior levels in volume of fruit imports, especially citrus, for over 10 years.

A bridge connecting the world and the dining table.

Management Philosophy

  • A company that provides health and smiles to Japanese families by serving " safe, fresh, and delicious" fruits and vegetables as a bridge from the world to the families
  • A company that follows legal compliance rules and regulations, is not afraid of change, transforms, and manages with the trend, and makes consistent progress
  • A company that actively invests in and educates its human resources and rewards employees who contribute under fair evaluation

Message from the President

Since we were established in 1971 as a trading company specializing in imported fruits and vegetables, we have pursued our mission to deliver "safe, fresh, and delicious" fruits and vegetables for Japanese families' smiles and health by importing fruits and vegetables from all over the world.
We have reviewed our way of being, on the occasion of 50th anniversary of our company's establishment, and expressed our belief in our Management Philosophy too.
We will work hard to keep this Management Philosophy for our employees, which could support them.

Fruits and vegetables are one of the food which are very tasty with high nutrition that provide health and good mental. Of course, there are many good fruits and vegetables grown in Japan, but what we handle is imported from all over the world.
We provide the fruits and vegetables which are not grown in Japan. We offer the value, happiness, and richness which Japanese families have not experienced, and this is what we are proud of.

Now we look back over the past 50 years and consider what the next 50 years will be.
As a leading company for imported fruits and vegetables, we would like to play a role in creating a more prosperous society by growing the demand for and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Even though this is an extremely enormous theme and it might be difficult for us to achieve on our own, we will work on it because we believe that its realization will lead not only us but also those related to production, distribution, sales, and others, to a better future.
In order to contribute to creating a sustainable and better society through foods, we will keep managing flexibly with the following current trends.

代表取締役社長石黒辰弥

Tatsuya Ishiguro, President and Representative Director, UNION CO., Ltd.

Company Profile

Company name UNION CO., LTD.
Establishment October 1, 1971.
Capital 100 million yen
Representative Tatsuya Ishiguro, President and Representative Director
Annual Sales 44.3 billion yen (fiscal year ending February, 2023)
Number of employees 105 (as of May 2023)
Business description Fruit and vegetable importing and wholesaling
Offices [Head Office Address]
Kobe Miyuki Bldg. 7F, 44 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0037
TEL: +81 078-392-4930 (main) FAX: +81 078-392-4952

<Tokyo Branch>
Hulic Kobunacho Bldg. 5F
8-1, Kobunacho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0024
TEL: +81 03-6667-8150 (main) FAX: +81 03-6667-8160

<Sapporo Branch>
18-2-8, Kitahachijonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-0008
TEL: +81 011-614-9110 (main) FAX: +81 011-614-9115
Main Banks MUFG Bank, Ltd.
Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Main Suppliers [Domestic]
Dole plc
Zespri International (Japan) K.K.
[Overseas]
USA Union International Inc.
WellPict
S&W Premium Food,Inc
Lapanday Foods Corporation
Nongsan Trading Co., Ltd
Komati Fruits (Pty)Ltd.
Costa Group
J.M.Levarth&Zn.B.V
ALTAR PRODUCE LLC.
Shipley Sales, L.L.C.

Company History

October 1971 UNION CO., Ltd. established in Hyogo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Prefecture.
Established with capital of ¥10 million
July 1974 Reached capital to ¥30 million
February 1979 Established Tokyo Branch in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
November 1984 Reached capital to ¥35 million
June 1986 Reached capital to ¥70 million
November 1986 Moved the head office to Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
June 1990 Opened Sapporo Sales Office.
April 1997 Established USA Union International Inc. in California, U.S.A.
December 2002 Established R&L Union Co., Ltd.
June 2009 Tatsuya Ishiguro assumed the presidency
November 2013 Tokyo Branch moved to Kobunacho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
September 2014 Reached capital to ¥100 million
October 2020 Celebrated 50th anniversary of establishment

Group Companies and Affiliated Companies

Company name Address
USA Union International Inc. 26650 The Old Road Suite 204 Valencia, CA 91381 USA
TEL:+1 661-286-8801/FAX:+1 661-286-8806
R & L Union Co., Ltd. 6 Daikoku-Futo, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0054
TEL:+81 045-508-0681 FAX:+81 045-508-0683
ISO9001:2015 acquisition of certification
R & L Union Sapporo Plant Kita 8-jo Nishi 18-2-8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-0008
FAX:+81 011-699-6685
R & L Union Yoshikawa Plant 600-1 Oaza Seki, Yoshikawa-shi, Saitama 342-0053
TEL:+81 048-972-4571/FAX:+81 048-972-4573

Office Locations

Kobe Head Office

Kobe Head Office
Address 7F Kobe Miyuki Bldg.
44 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0037
TEL:+81 078-392-4930 (main) /FAX:+81 078-392-4952
Access 3-min. walk from Kyukyoryuchi-Daimarumae Station (Kobe Municipal Subway Kaigan Line)
6-min. walk from Motomachi Station (JR and Hanshin Electric Railway lines)

Tokyo Branch

Tokyo Branch
Address Hulic Kobunacho Bldg. 5F, 8-1 Kobunacho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0024
TEL:+81 03-6667-8150(main)/FAX:+81 03-6667-8160
Access 4 min. walk from Ningyocho Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)
6 min. walk from Mitsukoshimae Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
7 min. walk from Nihombashi Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
8 min. walk from Shin-Nihombashi Station (JR Line)

Sapporo Sales Office

Sapporo Sales Office
Address Kita 8-jo Nishi 18-2-8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-0008
TEL:+81 011-614-9110(main)/FAX:+81 011-614-9115
Access 10-min. walk from Kuwazono Station (JR Hakodate Main Line)

Food Education Activities

Union supports the 5 A DAY movement

What is the 5 A DAY Movement?

5 A DAY is a movement that encourages people to eat at least five servings totaling 350g of vegetables and 200g of fruit a day. Many Japanese people believe that they are eating enough or nearly enough vegetables already, but the truth is people of every age group are not getting the amount of vegetables they need.
5 A DAY promotes healthy eating habits that lead to disease prevention by showing how to easily consume fruits and vegetables. UNION supports the activities of the 5 A Day Association as a supporting member.

the 5 A DAY Movement

Background of the Movement (Vegetables)

Japanese people's vegetable intake falls short of the target in all age groups.

■Japanese people today consume an inadequate amount of vegetables, which are naturally low in fat and a source of vitamins and minerals.
■Behind the shift away from vegetables: the influx of Western-style eating habits, etc.

Average value of vegetable intake (by age group)

Background of the Movement (Fruit)

The amount of fruit consumed by the Japanese people is also decreasing

■Half of those in their 20s to 40s do not eat fruit at all.
■Reasons for not eating fruit: Too much trouble to peel, etc.

Average value of fruit intake (by age group)