Calbee and Sagamiya Foods have recently acquired a majority of the outstanding shares of Hodo, Inc., a U.S. tofu manufacturer based in Oakland, California. Calbee holds 58% and Sagamiya 10%, bringing Hodo under their umbrella. Through this acquisition, Calbee will formally enter the U.S. market in the plant-based protein sector, focusing on tofu, yuba (tofu skin), and related products.
Founded in 2004, Hodo is one of the leading tofu and soy-based food manufacturers in the United States. The company produces premium tofu, yuba, and other plant-based foods using organic, non-GMO soybeans. Thanks to its unique production methods, its tofu maintains firmness without crumbling during cooking. The brand has earned high recognition among health-conscious consumers and top chefs in the U.S., positioning Hodo as a prominent player in delivering sustainable foods in the expanding market driven by growing demand for plant-based protein.
In its medium-term management plan “Change 2025,” formulated in 2023, Calbee identified overseas business expansion as one of its key strategies, with the U.S. market designated as a priority region. At the same time, the company has strengthened its focus on the “food and health” sector, positioning it as a new pillar of growth. Sagamiya, meanwhile, is a leading company in the Japanese tofu industry, known for harmonizing tradition with innovation, and shares Hodo’s vision of spreading tofu culture. Going forward, Sagamiya will support Hodo’s mission in the U.S. through technological collaboration.
By leveraging Hodo’s business foundation and combining expertise, the two companies aim to establish tofu more firmly as a “clean protein” in the North American market. Through the creation of new markets catering to growing health-consciousness, they seek to contribute to solving consumers’ challenges around food and health.