Launched in 1987, the Good day Panda snack is characterised by its chocolate cream filling and panda illustration on the biscuit shell.
Initially made solely in Japan, manufacturing of the snack was subsequently established in Singapore, Indonesia, and the US. In September this yr, manufacturing operations of Good day Panda expanded to China.
In line with Meiji, Good day Panda is the preferred snack amongst its confectionery merchandise offered abroad. It’s at present accessible in 30 international locations throughout South East Asia, East Asia, Center East, Europe, and the US.
In October 2024, the corporate’s US subsidiary Meiji America Inc launched a brand new product known as Good day Panda Pretzel, as a part of its strikes to realize a much bigger share of the market.
“The pretzel market within the US is estimated at roughly USD2.8bn (JPY420bn), and it’s a very talked-about class. This new product combines pretzels and chocolate cream, permitting customers to take pleasure in a candy and salty flavour [in one bite],” the agency mentioned.
Good day Panda started gross sales within the US within the Nineties and native manufacturing since 2015.
Based mostly on FY2023 outcomes, its gross sales within the US have tripled in comparison with FY2017, with the rise partly attributable to the broadening gross sales channels.
“Our confectionery enterprise within the US has grown considerably because of the recognition of our product high quality, in addition to the expectation of security and safety. We goal to extend gross sales by roughly 1.5 occasions by FY2026, in comparison with FY2023.
“Because the biscuit market is projected to proceed increasing, we search to additional set up ourselves as a world model by strengthening our manufacturing system and increasing our gross sales channels. In an effort to meet rising demand, we’re investing about USD28m (JPY4.1bn) to extend our manufacturing capability for Good day Panda, with plans to extend this quantity in FY2025.”
The funding will go into Meiji America’s facility positioned in Santa Ana, the place the manufacturing of three key manufacturers, particularly Good day Panda, Yan Yan, and Chocorooms, happen.
Below the Meiji Group 2026 Imaginative and prescient, the corporate has set the “institution of a basis for development in abroad markets” as a key technique to attain mid- to long-term enchancment in enterprise worth.
“By leveraging the biscuit manufacturing know-how and know-how that we’ve got cultivated in varied international locations, we’ll develop and ship extra distinctive, scrumptious, and value-added merchandise to customers all over the world.
“As well as, by rising manufacturing capability for international enlargement, we goal to extend our abroad gross sales ratio to 10% or extra by FY2026.”