Thai exotics and prepared produce exporter Blue River has launched a European arm to improve the service, distribution and marketing of its products across the UK and mainland Europe.
Based in Portsmouth, Blue River Europe enables the import and onward clearance of product to UK retailers, allowing parent company Blue River Thailand to provide an integrated low-cost model into the UK and Europe, explains the company’s Stuart Buchanan.
Establishing this model has helped boost Blue River’s European exports “massively” he says. “This year we expect our exports from Thailand to increase by more than 40 per cent on last year.”
As part of its European growth, Blue River is also developing its ready-to-eat Nam Dok Mai mango export business to the UK. The fruit is grown on Blue River farms before being picked at optimum maturity and shipped via airfreight, and the fruit is on shelves within three days of harvest.
The Bangkok-headquartered firm’s expansion plans come despite a continued EU ban on certain Thai products, and stricter import rules governing several leafy vegetables and mangoes. Blue River said it has invested time and energy in finding alternative herbs and spices to replace embargoed products for its ready-to-cook curry packs, Buchanan explains, adding that the firm plans to launch its own-brand kits on the UK.
“Our new Destin Asia brand of curry kits and stir-fries will be launched in April,” he says. “Every item of produce for the pack is carefully selected and hand prepared. They are all about flavour. They have been in development for several years, and ingredients are carefully selected to fit European tastes.”
Also new for Blue River this year is fresh coconut water. The firm has agreed an exclusive contract with one of Europe’s largest young coconut importers to grow, pack and distribute fresh young coconuts for UK and European retailers.“Blue River is all about quality and taste,” says Buchanan, “and generating happiness from its products.”
Elsewhere, Thai exotic fruit and vegetable exporter Siam Jumbo International is planning to launch its new packs of ready-to-cook vegetable curry in Switzerland, the UK and France.
The firm, which sources its exotic vegetables from contract growers, then prepares, packs and exports the curry kits from its own facilities, is tailoring its products and promotions to meet individual retail customer needs, as well as developing online sales, reveals managing director Suwanchai Chavanchankij.“Competition is really tough in Europe,” he says. “So we are offering tailor-made products and marketing.”
Another new venture for the company is organic fruit and vegetable production. Siam Jumbo is establishing its own farm and exploring export opportunities in Europe and the Middle East.“We opened a marketing office in Europe last year and a head office in Dubai within the last three months,” Chavanchankij says. “For the last 20 years we’ve been exporting mainly to Japan, China and the Middle East. Now we are focusing on Europe and the Middle East.
“Our Dubai office distributes Thai products to all Gulf countries. The Middle East is a very lucrative market, enjoying an economic boom and a growth in tourist traffic. The 2022 world cup football in Qatar also offers great export opportunities.”
To overcome Europe’s ban on certain Thai herbs and vegetables, Siam Jumbo has leased land in Laos and Cambodia to grow embargoed products there, and is now looking at setting up permanent farms there.
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