A group of traditional "katsuobushi" dried bonito flake makers in Kyushu will set up a factory in France and start production next year, hoping to bring to Europe the the key ingredient for soup stock and dishes in Japanese cuisine.

Participating in a food exhibition in France in May 2013 inspired the group, based in Makurazaki, Kagoshima Prefecture, to plan out the launch of a factory in Concarneau, located in the Brittany region of northwestern France, said Yoshihiro Kominato of the Makurazaki Marine Products Processing Industries Cooperative.

The co-op, an umbrella organization of 10 bonito flake makers in Kagoshima and one distributor in nearby Fukuoka Prefecture, aims to complete construction of the factory in time for the food-themed world exposition that will open in Milan next May 1. The cooperative plans to exhibit the product at the event.