19 Organizations Including Production, Transport, and Market-Related Groups Collaborate to Launch "Joint Logistics Efficiency Promotion Council"

We are pleased to announce the establishment of the "Joint Logistics Efficiency Promotion Council" (Chairman: Shintaro Yoshida) by production, transport, and market-related organizations. This council aims to promote and expand the "Joint Logistics Efficiency Project," which seeks to achieve sustainable production, collection, and sales primarily in the Chubu region. The inaugural general meeting was held on December 5, 2025, with 19 organizations participating. By collaborating with 19 organizations that possess expertise, technology, and know-how in their respective fields, we aim to promote and expand initiatives under the "Joint Logistics Efficiency Project." ■ About the "Joint Logistics Efficiency Project" In response to challenges surrounding the industry, such as declining fruit and vegetable production, rising production costs, labor shortages including the "2024 problem" due to driver shortages and work style reforms, and climate change, the "Joint Logistics Efficiency Project" is working to construct a new fruit and vegetable distribution network. We will develop a relay joint logistics hub equipped with cold chain functionality, promote "joint shipping and delivery" in collaboration with wholesale markets in the Chubu and Hokuriku regions, and facilitate "relay transport" connecting production areas with the Kanto and Kansai regions. Through co-creation in the fruit and vegetable industry, we aim to change the concept of markets and create a new model for sustainable fruit and vegetable distribution. The "Joint Logistics Efficiency Promotion Council" was established with the objective of discussing the "Joint Logistics Efficiency Project" and solving challenges in the fruit and vegetable industry. By promoting "joint shipping and delivery" and "relay transport" utilizing these facilities, we aim to collect 50,750 tons (of which 30,000 tons are relay transport) by fiscal year 2030. ■ Key Initiatives Construction of a new distribution system: "Joint Shipping and Delivery" and "Relay Transport" in cooperation with wholesale markets in the Chubu region. Fruits and vegetables that were previously transported individually from various production areas to different markets in the Chubu region will now be transported to the Nagoya Nishi Distribution Center, which serves as a "consumption stock point." At the center, joint collection, joint reception, and sorting will be carried out, followed by delivery from the Nagoya Nishi Distribution Center to each market. Furthermore, transport from distant production areas to the Kanto and Kansai regions, which was previously difficult, will be facilitated via the Nagoya Nishi Distribution Center. We will build a new fruit and vegetable distribution network, leveraging the collection functions of central and local wholesale market companies and the functions of the Nagoya Nishi Distribution Center as a logistics stock point facility. Realization of the "Joint Logistics Efficiency Project" is expected to contribute to stakeholders in the fruit and vegetable industry and consumers as follows: 【Producers】 Continued sales to distant markets, which are anticipated to become difficult to transport to in the future, and expansion of sales channels are expected. Joint shipping and delivery will also enable shipping of small-item, small-lot, and rare-lot products. Furthermore, improved quality assessment is expected through cold chain distribution. 【Transportation Stakeholders】 Improvements in loading rates, reduction in driver working hours, and shorter waiting times for unloading are expected. 【Markets】 Improved truck loading efficiency and collection capabilities, and enhanced collaboration with other markets will become possible. Additionally, transactions with JA systems and producers with whom there were no previous dealings will be enabled. 【Consumers】 It will be possible to consume a wide variety of products from across the country. In conjunction, quality control through the use of temperature-controlled and refrigerated facilities will enable the development of functions that can continuously meet diversified needs, creating added value. ■ "Joint Logistics Efficiency Promotion Council" Constituent Organizations List / Titles omitted, in alphabetical order This council involves diverse businesses, including production organizations, transportation-related organizations, and market-related organizations. By collaborating with organizations possessing expertise, technology, and know-how in their respective fields, we aim to promote and expand the initiatives of the "Joint Logistics Efficiency Project." 【Production Organizations】 Kagoshima Prefectural Economic Agricultural Cooperative Federation Kumamoto Prefectural Economic Agricultural Cooperative Federation Shizuoka Prefectural Economic Agricultural Cooperative Federation 【Transportation-Related Organizations】 JA Logistics Kagoshima Co., Ltd. Kumamoto Prefectural Agricultural Cooperative Fruit and Vegetable Transport Improvement Council Kojima Shoten Ltd. 【Market-Related Organizations】 Ise Yamada Seika Co., Ltd. Gifu Chuo Seika Co., Ltd. Ken In Mie Chuo Seika Co., Ltd. Centrair Seika Co., Ltd. Daiichi Seika Co., Ltd. Toyoichi Toyota Seika Co., Ltd. Nagoya Seika Co., Ltd. Nagoya Nishi Seika Co., Ltd. Nagoya Nishi Distribution Center Co., Ltd. Hida Takayama Market Co., Ltd. Maruka Ishikawa Chuo Seika Co., Ltd. (Toyama Chuo Seika Co., Ltd.) Mie VF Co., Ltd. Yokkaichi Godo Seika Co., Ltd. 【Joint Logistics Efficiency Promotion Council Overview】 Name: Joint Logistics Efficiency Promotion Council Representative: Chairman Shintaro Yoshida Established: December 5, 2025 Secretariat: Joint Logistics Efficiency Project Secretariat