Tesco's Chinese customers get taste for Thai goods

Tesco's Chinese customers get taste for Thai goods

SHANGHAI : Tesco Lotus in China has pledged to increase its purchase of fruit and vegetables and other products from Thailand, aiming to double the value of its Thai imports.

The Thai food section at a Tesco Lotus in Shanghai, featuring pomelo, durian, rambutan and mangoes. Tesco has 132 stores in China.

Jenny Kian, import food director at Tesco China, said Chinese consumers trust Thai food for safety and quality.

Tesco also plans to import products such as sweet chilli sauces, biscuits, seaweed, jam and Otop products, she said.

Tesco operates 132 outlets in China, with up to 4.4 million customers shopping at its stores each week.

Tesco Lotus has partnered the Commerce Ministry over the past five years to promote Thai products with "Taste of Thailand" events, mainly in Britain, the home of the Tesco hypermarket chain.

It has also worked with the Department of International Trade Promotion to arrange business matching events between Thai companies and Tesco buyers, said Tesco Lotus corporate affairs director Salinla Seehaphan.

Tesco has recently worked with the department to arrange a Thai fruit and seafood promotion at Tesco stores in China to allow Chinese customers to taste high-quality durian, mango, mangosteen, rambutan, longan and coconut at promotional prices.

Samples of Otop dried fruits were also given to Chinese customers.

"Tesco Lotus is committed to increasing Thai exports and has made good progress in driving export volume over the past five years," said Ms Salinla. "Last year Tesco Lotus achieved export volume of 13.5 billion baht, representing significant growth from the 8 billion baht recorded four years ago."

Earlier, Tesco Lotus said it expected fresh produce exports through its partnership with the Commerce Ministry to reach more than 15 billion baht this year.

It exports shrimp, chicken, canned food, vegetables, fruit, rice and electrical appliances to Tesco stores in 12 countries, reaching about 65 million customers.

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