Company in Eaton County honored for Michigan exports of Asian ‘superfood’

CHARLOTTE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — An Eaton County company has received MDARD’s highest export honors.

Sometimes billed as a ‘superfood,’ many Japanese enjoy natto soybeans with soy sauce, chives, mustard, and rice for breakfast. Citizens LLC in Charlotte has been exporting soybeans since 2005 and has experienced a 4,000 percent growth in export volume in recent years.

The company grows 99 percent of its products in Michigan and, in collaboration with Michigan State University, has been involved in getting six natto varieties approved for import to Japan as well as Korea and Vietnam.