Local Japanese-food restaurant chain and RTD green tea manufacturers Fuji Group is planning to introduce its green tea beverages top international markets.

The company aims to roll out its Fujicha RTD green tea in Malaysia and Southeast Asia by the end of 2011.

“We want to make Fujicha a regional brand as the first steps toward global recognition,” according to Fuji marketing director Rawiwan Tanaka quoted in the local press. 

“But we’ll move gradually, step by step. And not just with green-tea products, as we plan to export seasonings and salads to neighboring countries as well,” she said.

In the domestic market, Fuji is also boosting its efforts to attract a greater share of the RTD green tea market with a THB20 million (US$500,000) advertising and promotion budget for its Fujicha brand earmarked for the fourth quarter.

“We believe in the potential of green-tea products in Thailand because the segment has seen huge growth each year even though we’re still young in this market,” Tanaka said.