New Zealand organic apple sales continue to increase in China, despite the general market for imported produce being under pressure this year.
New Zealand organic apple grower, Bostock New Zealand, has seen a 136 percent increase in organic apple sales this year across its direct retail programmes.
Bostock New Zealand International Market Manager, Jane Maclean says she’s been delighted to see Bostock’s organic apple programmes stand out in a tough selling year in China, with Sam’s Club a particular highlight.
“We don’t sell our organic apples into wholesale channels. Instead, we focus on direct supply into many of China’s key retailers, including Costco, Pagoda, JD.com and Benlai as well as our import partner, Joy Wing Mau.
Jane Maclean
“For our retailers, this offers more pricing stability. And for Bostock, this has allowed us to directly educate and promote to the end customer on the benefits of organic. Something which has been essential, as organic is still an emerging category in China. Converting promotional activity into volume has been challenging, but Sam’s Club has changed the landscape for us in a very short period,” says Ms Maclean.
Sam’s Club directly imported Bostock organic apples for the first time in 2020 and Sam’s Club Senior Buyer, Vincent Huang, says there were two key reasons behind this move.
“Sam’s Club take pride in caring about our customer’s health and Bostock organic apples fits this criteria. Secondly, we are dedicated to improving and adding value to our customer’s shopping experience. Directly importing Bostock organic apples means we can better manage and protect quality and pricing.”
Despite only stocking Bostock organic apples for one season, Sam’s Club volumes have increased 70% this year.
Mr Huang says Sam’s Club are happy with the strong growth in organic apple sales.
“Our customers have engaged well in our stores and online to organic information and catalogues and are paying more attention to the advantages of eating organic food."
Organic Dazzle is globally exclusive to Bostock New Zealand and is a bright red sweet apple which has been specifically developed for Asian markets.
“2021 is the first year Bostock had commercial volumes of organic Dazzle available so, it was great Sam’s Club were willing to take a chance and range it. We have invested a lot into this variety and were both excited and relieved to hear their customers loved the colour and taste, and to get that tick of approval,” said Ms Maclean.
“Despite its size and population and demand for premium, high-end produce, the China market has remained a small and niche market for organic imported fresh produce because there are only a few global companies which have been audited and approved by WIT China to export into the market. This makes it more challenging to grow the Organic imported fresh produce category. “
For more information:
Catherine Wedd
Bostock
Tel: +64 6 873 9046
Email: catherinew@bostock.nz
www.bostock.nz