Retail news from Asiafruit
Important developments in the Asia’s food retail arena, with a focus on fresh produce procurement, distribution, marketing, merchandising, and new product development.
Thai conglomerate BJC to acquire MM Mega Market Vietnam in US$717mn deal
Extraordinary general meeting set for 13 February for BJC board decision
Spinneys supermarket to open 12 stores in the Philippines
Partnership with ACX Holidings facilitates the first opening outside of the Gulf for the UAE-based retailer
Amazon shutters Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores
Closures come as retail giant doubles down on online grocery delivery and Whole Foods Market expansion
Former FPJ publisher David Hope-Mason dies aged 85
Hope-Mason led former FPJ publisher Lockwood Press for over 30 years and co-founded Market Intelligence, which launched Eurofruit and Asiafruit
Driscoll’s secures new partnership agreement with LuLu Retail
MoU signed last week opens door to closer collaboration on marketing branded berries to consumers
Aldi Hong Kong partners with TradeBeyond on supply chain management
CBX platform to centralise retailer’s supply chain data, automate workflows, and ensure accurate operations documentation
Shinsegae Department Store unveils Thai mango gift set for Lunar New Year
Mangoes carefully sourced from Thailand’s Chachoengsao province
China expands kumquat exports to Middle East
Industry insiders expect exports to grow more than five-fold on 2023 volumes
Mexican avocado exports to US forecast at record 2.5bn pounds
Avocados from Mexico forecasts record US import volume, citing favourable weather, consistent quality and integrated supply chain as key drivers
Japan’s domestic mandarin production set to rebound in 2025/26
Improved weather conditions to stabilise production in coming season while gradual structural decline to pose continued challenges
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Texas grapefruit counts on taste in Korea
Texas trade mission to Korea enthused by buyer feedback on samplings of the state’s grapefruit as it seeks to build on opening of market in 2024
Korea to increase Shine Muscat exports amid declining domestic returns
Series of promotional activities support push into Taiwan market with some provinces exporting to the region for the first time
First seafreight cherries of the Chilean season arrive in Shanghai
Arriving vessel carried only a single container of Chilean cherries, all from grower-exporter Garces Fruit
Avocados take centre stage during US holiday season
Strong demand and value pricing see avocado sales rise
Flash Gala turns heads in China market
Leading South African exporters say the branded apple has changed the way retailers look at apples
South African stonefruit sector optimistic for strong season
South African producers are optimistic for a strong stonefruit season on the back of increased production, favourable weather and improvements to address long-running logistical issues
Fresh Produce India returns to Mumbai
India’s premier business event is back on 16-17 April 2026 for two days of networking, talks and study tours
IGD identifies seven key retail trends for 2026
Market analyst IGD has unveiled seven pivotal trends set to shape the global food and grocery retail landscape in 2026, from cybersecurity priorities to AI-driven innovation and sustainability initiatives
Peru launches promotional avocado campaign across China
Online and in-store activations drive 50 per cent increase in market price
Dole and Truval expand Smurfs campaign in China
Promotions for co-branded Belgian Conference pear to include in-store tastings across cities nationwide