Meiji Co., Ltd. is increasing prices for 14 product lines, including its popular chocolate snacks and matcha beverages [1].
These price hikes reflect the growing pressure on food manufacturers in Japan to offset rising operational costs. As essential ingredients and utility prices climb, companies are passing these expenses to consumers to maintain profitability.
The company will raise prices for confectionery items by approximately 3% to 8% [1]. This adjustment affects well-known products such as the chocolate snacks "Kinoko no Yama" and "Take no Sato" [1].
Beverage prices will see a steeper climb, increasing by about 16% to 21% [1]. The Tsujiri Okoishii Matcha Latte will increase by 44 yen, bringing its tax-included price to 257 yen [1]. Meiji said the beverage price jump is partially driven by a global matcha boom that has pushed up the cost of ingredients [1].
Company officials said they have attempted to mitigate these costs internally before deciding on the price increases. A Meiji spokesperson said, "We have taken various measures, but it has become difficult to continue sales at the current prices" [2].
The company cited a combination of rising raw material costs, energy prices, and labor expenses as the primary drivers for the changes [1]. These factors have created a challenging environment for the Japanese food and beverage industry, forcing brands to choose between shrinking product sizes or raising retail prices.
“"We have taken various measures, but it has become difficult to continue sales at the current prices"”
This move by Meiji highlights a broader trend of inflation within the Japanese consumer market. While confectionery increases are modest, the significant jump in beverage prices—specifically tied to the global demand for matcha—shows how international commodity trends are directly impacting local retail pricing in Japan.
