Pelayo Casanovas, Cobb general manager of the Asia-Pacific region, stated: “The association between Cobb and Matsusaka Farm is one of the oldest in the Cobb family. I am very proud of the commitment from the Matsusaka team, as well as the vision and support of our partner Itochu, throughout the history of this joint venture. We look forward to growing our market share in Japan in the years ahead.”

Looking back on the start of the venture in January 1967, Toshimichi Morikoshi, president of Matsusaka Farm, stated: “We constructed one quarantine shed, four poultry houses and headquarters in Matsusaka city in 1967, and started importing Cobb grandparents after the construction was finished.”

He added: “Celebrating our 50th Anniversary with Cobb just emphasizes our importance to the Japanese market and our goal to continually grow market share for Cobb in Japan for years to come.”

Pelayo Casanovas presented a 50-year plaque to Mr Morikoshi as a symbol of appreciation.

Jimmy Chand, vice president of Cobb Japan, commented: “We are going to grow our market share through enhancing the relationships with our customers and adding more sales and technical expertise to provide for their needs. We are combining delivery of chicks of the highest quality with first class technical service.”

Cobb-Vantress, Inc. is a poultry research and development company engaged in the production improvement and sale of broiler breeding stock. Cobb is the world’s oldest pedigree broiler breeding company. Founded in 1916, Cobb has grown into one of the world’s leading suppliers of broiler breeding stock with distribution into over 120 countries. Cobb has contributed to the dynamic efficiency and growth of an industry that has transformed chicken into an economically affordable healthy protein source for many of the over seven billion people in the world.