Calbee, Inc., one of Japan’s largest snack manufacturers and a leading global producer of potato-based products, has acquired a majority stake in Hodo, Inc., a California-based maker of tofu and other soy-based foods. The move forms part of Calbee’s “Change 2025” transformation plan, which prioritises international expansion and the growth of its Food and Health business.

Hodo, founded in 2004 in Oakland by Minh Tsai, manufactures ready-to-eat tofu, yuba and other plant-based products. Alongside Calbee’s investment, Japan-based tofu producer Sagamiya Foods Co., Ltd. will take a minority stake in Hodo and provide technical support to promote tofu culture in the United States. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“As demand for sustainable foods grows, tofu is increasingly valued by health-conscious consumers,” said Makoto Ehara, chief executive officer of Calbee. “With its high plant-based protein content and minimal processing, tofu is drawing particular attention in the US market, where health and environmental concerns are driving growth. Our vision at Calbee is to build a global portfolio of foods that are enjoyable and meaningful. The addition of Hodo to the Calbee Group marks an important step in strengthening our Food and Health businesses as well as expanding our global presence.”

While the deal marks Calbee’s entry into the plant-based sector in the US, it also underscores a strategic trend among major potato snack companies. Diversification into health-oriented and alternative protein markets is seen as a way to hedge against shifting consumer preferences, where sustainability and nutrition play an increasingly prominent role in food choices.

For the potato processing sector, Calbee’s move highlights how established players are broadening beyond traditional snack categories. The company, widely known for its potato chips and other savoury snacks, is signalling that growth in the years ahead may rely as much on aligning with plant-based and functional food trends as on expanding established product lines.