Ajinomoto Co. may consider mergers and acquisitions in India and other overseas markets where it intends to strengthen its operations, according to Masatoshi Ito, president of the Japanese food maker.
Ajinomoto has already established proprietary marketing infrastructures in other countries, but will possibly resort to M&As for "faster reinforcement of operations," Ito said, also citing markets including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Middle East and North Africa.
Referring to ongoing realignment in the Japanese food industry, including the launch of merger talks in July between Kirin Holdings Co. and Suntory Ltd., he said the consolidation of food companies is "necessary because the market will gradually shrink as a result of (Japan's) falling birthrate."
The 61-year-old Ito also pointed to the favorable effects of Ajinomoto's acquisition of soft drink maker Calpis Co. as a wholly owned subsidiary in October 2007.