Meiji Seika and Meiji Dairies to merge

The Japanese concerns Meiji Dairies and the country s number two confectionery maker Meiji Seika today confirmed that they will merge next year, forming a newly-created holding firm, Meiji Holdings Corporation. The merger will create Japan s fifth-biggest food company with annual sales topping € 7,5bn (1.11 trillion Yen). The deal merger will be completed by 1 April, the companies said.