Tokyo, Apr. 22 - Suntory Ltd. said Tuesday it will soon start selling its green tea products in the U.S. through the sales channel of Nestle SA.
The privately held Japanese soft drink and liquor maker, which currently bottles and distributes PepsiCo products in Japan, will export and sell its "Iemon" green tea in the U.S. starting May for $2.50 per bottle.
Suntory said it hopes to generate Y2 billion in U.S. sales in the near future as it aims to attract health-conscious consumers.
The move is the latest effort by Suntory to tap into lucrative overseas soft drink markets. The domestic market is largely saturated due to a shrinking population in Japan.
Last year, Suntory began marketing its canned "Boss" coffee brand in Malaysia and Singapore.
Suntory has been selling Nestle's mineral water products in Japan since 2003.