NAGOYA (Kyodo) Trading firm Toyota Tsusho Corp., and two other companies said Friday they will start marketing processed meat products in Vietnam next month through a local joint firm, targeting potential demand among upper- and middle-class consumers there.

Toyota Tsusho, food distributor Nichirei Fresh Inc. and processed meat manufacturer Shinshu Ham Co. are set to start supplying products, including ham and sausages, under the brand name Shinshu to supermarkets and restaurants starting in late February. They set up a joint firm, Shinshu Nt Co., last month near Ho Chi Minh City.

They aim to achieve sales of ¥300 million in 2013 on the back of robust economic growth in Vietnam that has led to a rising meat industry.

Shinshu Ham, which has a reputation for high-end products in Japan, will provide technical guidance and undertake quality control for a local meat processing firm in manufacturing the products.