Joy Wing Mau Asia Singapore is a division of JWM Asia Holdings, which are located in Hong Kong. The company is specialized in the import and distribution of fresh fruits. Its main clients in Singapore consist of supermarkets, minimarts and wholesale markets.
Kelvin Ong is General Manager of JWM Singapore. Key items for the company are South African imported fruits, South American products and Chinese fresh fruits. “Together with the group we supply to China and other Asian markets. Our company excels in economies of scale”, introduces Kelvin: “Currently we are importing South African oranges, apples, pears and blueberries. From Chile we source cherries and blueberries, both by sea. Finally, from China, our key products are fresh grapes, blueberries and Fuji apples.”
Chinese domestic production is becoming increasingly important for the group. A strategic joint venture with HortiFruit has created impetus for upscale blueberry production. Strong partnerships with grape and apple growers make for stable Shine Muscat and Fuji apple supplies.
Kelvin continues: “Chinese grape production has evolved. The harvest season has started in Yunnan and then moved to Shaanxi, after which it will end in Shandong province. The Shine Muscat grapes are crunchy and mostly seedless, or with some small seed traces. The grape has a strong Muscat flavor, similar to Japanese Muscat grapes. The crunch is there, but it is not as crunchy compared to the pristine variety.”
Finally, the company receives Chilean cherries and blueberries by sea freight. The cherries loaded on the Cherry Express arrive in Hong Kong, after which they are moved on smaller vessels to be shipped through to Singapore.
Shine Muscat grapes being selected and carefully packed for retail sales
Shine Muscat grapes are trending
JWM has been selling its Chinese Shine Muscat grapes to various countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.
"We see that consumers are starting to shift to more flavorful grape varieties and moving away from more traditional green grape varieties such as the Thompson Seedless.
JWM Asia's Shine Muscat grapes in colorful gift boxes
JWM Asia Grapes on display in Singapore's supermarkets
Gift packages are trending
Another trend that has emerged is the popularity of fresh fruits gift packaging. “Gift packaging is becoming increasingly popular”, explains Kelvin: “New Year is an important celebration in Singapore, perhaps not as big as in China, but it is still a strong sales contributing factor for the market. Singaporean celebrations are slightly more traditional, but gift packages are definitely growing in popularity. This gift giving habit is already big in China, huge in Japan, and certainly growing in Singapore.”
JWM ASIA has introduced Shine Muscat grapes in specialized gift boxes that people can gift to their loved ones.
For more information:
Kelvin Ong
General Manager/Fresh Fruit Consultant
JWM ASIA (part of Joy Wing Mau)
kelvin.ong@jwmasia.com.sg
https://jwmasia.com/