Key Facts
• On September 11, Saint Marc Holdings announced plans to manage a farm in Uki City.
• The company signed an agreement with Uki City Mayor Naohiro Suematsu and Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura.
• Saint Marc operates over 850 café and restaurant locations globally.
• Annually, the company uses 30 million tons of wheat, mostly imported.
• Rising wheat prices due to the Ukraine conflict prompted the decision for self-cultivation.
• Uki City was chosen for its favorable conditions for wheat farming.
• A subsidiary agricultural corporation will lease farmland from rice farmers.
• Wheat will be grown as a secondary crop on 6 hectares in 2025, expanding to 200 hectares in the future.
• CEO Yuki Fujikawa emphasized automation, efficiency, and sharing expertise with the local community.
Summary
Saint Marc Holdings, a major café and restaurant chain operator, announced plans to manage a farm in Uki City, Kumamoto Prefecture, to address rising wheat costs caused by global factors like the Ukraine conflict. The company, which uses 30 million tons of wheat annually, aims to reduce reliance on imports by cultivating its own supply. A subsidiary will lease farmland from rice farmers, initially planting 6 hectares of wheat in 2025, with plans to expand to 200 hectares. CEO Yuki Fujikawa highlighted the potential for automation and efficiency, as well as the opportunity to share agricultural expertise with the local community. This initiative marks a significant step in the company’s efforts to stabilize supply chains and support local agriculture.
