HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – July 1, 2026 – Aviagen® is pleased to announce the next step in a long-standing collaboration with valued Ross® distributor Nippon Chunky, a subsidiary of Marubeni Corporation’s Food and Agribusiness division in Japan. For nearly 60 years, Nippon Chunky has been the exclusive provider of Aviagen’s Ross brand of broiler breeding stock in Japan and is an established and respected presence in the country’s poultry industry.
Effective July 1st, 2026, Aviagen has acquired a 66% controlling interest in Nippon Chunky, reinforcing the close ties between the two companies and supporting the ongoing development of Japan’s poultry sector. Marubeni will remain a 34% shareholder and continue to participate actively in the management of the business. As part of Aviagen Asia, Nippon Chunky will continue operating under its existing leadership and identity.
The investment reflects decades of close collaboration and mutual respect between the companies and their focus on supporting poultry producers, advancing innovation and promoting sustainability and animal welfare.
“Nippon Chunky has earned an excellent reputation through its dedication to customers, deep local relationships, and industry knowledge. Over many years, they have played an important role in the development of the Ross brand in Japan. We look forward to building on that success together. This agreement reinforces our continued focus on the Japanese market and the customers we serve,” commented Aviagen CEO Jan Henriksen.
“I am confident the partnership with Aviagen will further strengthen the foundation that Nippon Chunky has built over the years,” added Mr. Masaya Shiraishi, Meat Department General Manager, Marubeni Corporation. “We will continue to strive to develop the Japanese broiler industry even further with Aviagen through a stable supply of highquality breeding chicks.”
About Aviagen
Aviagen® is a globally recognized poultry breeding company with a mission to help feed the world with affordable, nutritious and sustainable chicken protein. The company focuses on balancing the shared priorities of flock health and welfare, sustainability and global food security — recognizing that long-term progress depends on advancing all three together.
Committed to responsible poultry production, Aviagen continuously works to improve resource efficiency while advancing animal welfare, biosecurity and sustainable practices across the poultry value chain. Through balanced breeding, innovation, practical expertise and long-term genetic progress, the company helps customers meet the needs of diverse markets and poultry production systems, breeding success together.
Aviagen’s broad portfolio of breeding brands includes Arbor Acres®, Indian River®, Ross® and Specialty Males®. The portfolio also includes slower-growing options, giving producers greater choice based on market demand, customer preferences and poultry production environments.
Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, US, Aviagen operates across the UK, Europe, Türkiye, Latin America, India, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and the US, with joint ventures in Asia. The company employs close to 8,400 people and serves customers in more than 100 countries.
For more information, please visit Aviagen.com or follow Aviagen on LinkedIn to join the conversation.
