Yakult Honsha announced on the 20th that it has started operation of its second factory on Mindanao Island in the southern Philippines. The country's production capacity will increase by 30% to 6.08 million bottles per day. Mindanao has a population of over 25 million people and is experiencing continued economic growth. The second factory is scheduled to be doubled in size to meet increasing local demand.
Production of the lactic acid bacteria drink Yakult began in May at a second factory built in the northern part of the island. Production capacity is 1.38 million bottles per day, with plans to increase to 2.76 million bottles. It will supply the island's largest city, Davao in the south, as well as the central Visayas region. Until now, the products had been transported by ship from the first factory in southern Luzon, where the capital Manila is located.
The investment amount for the second factory has not been disclosed. The first factory has a production capacity of 4.7 million bottles per day and produces Yakult and Yakult Light. The second factory will only produce Yakult for the time being, and will also add Yakult Light.
The company is focusing on overseas business, increasing the overseas ratio of sales from 44% in the fiscal year ending March 2024 to 46% in the fiscal year ending March 2025. It entered the Philippines in 1978. The country is an important market, accounting for 13% of overseas sales.