Kent Exports offer a variety of fresh produce from Australia to Asia and the Middle East. Over the last few years Rob Kent has built up a network of growers for whom he facilitates the export. Having spent time previously in Singapore, he made the decision ten month ago to move out to Singapore to better serve his clients by being closer to the markets.
"Since moving here business has been very good. I've been able to travel around the region much easier to places such as Thailand and Malaysia, meeting with existing and potential new customers, and have been fortunate to also secure new customers in Singapore," said Rob. "We also have a vendor code with one of Asia's leading supermarket chains."
Kent Export has had a very busy onion season, exporting in excess of 200 x 40-foot reefers from Australia over a 4 month period.
"This which led to growers from other countries across the world reaching out to us to develop export programs for them into South East and North Asia. Overall, revenue has increased compared to the same period last year."
Rob said that that one the advantages of being in Asia is the ease of travel, being able to meet face to face and develop relationships that you don't really get an opportunity to do with virtual meetings.
"While that was a necessity during COVID, it's been extremely valuable to meet our existing and new customers in person, and also seeing for ourselves what is being stocked and sold in supermarkets and wholesale markets."
Kent Exports imported US and Canadian cherries this season and according to Rob the quality has been fantastic and they have been moving good volumes on a weekly basis.
Dutch and Japanese onion export seasons are beginning and the company has access to big volumes out of both markets to supply their customer base across South East Asia with a very high quality product.
The main markets will be Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
"In addition to onions, fruits are always popular lines – rockmelons, strawberries, avocados, grapes, cherries and citrus are all lines we are either moving or about to move. We are about to start working with a grower in Ecuador to supply dragon fruit and granadilla. We are also exporting organic produce, washed potatoes, carrots, celery and leafy veg out of Australia on a weekly basis."
For more information:
Rob Kent
Kent Exports
Tel +61 409 007 139
rjkentexports@outlook.com