Aug 21, 2023|
JD.com Partners with Southern Region of Thailand for Joint Durian Harvesting Initiative
by Vivian Yang
On August 14th, JD.com and Chumphon in southern Thailand announced a new collaboration for centralized durian harvesting, the first of its kind between a Chinese company and the southern durian-producing region of Thailand.
The southern region of Thailand is expected to produce 670,000 tons of durians this year, a 44% increase compared to 2022. JD’s global sourcing team will gradually expand this joint harvesting initiative to include other provinces, such as Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phang Nga, and Ranong. This collaboration is set to continue until the end of the harvest season in January 2024, and all harvested durians will be transported to China for sale.
To facilitate this collaboration, JD sent a team of 20 experts, including experienced buyers and quality control specialists, to Thailand in April with the support of the Department of Agriculture of Thailand. Over the course of four months, the team visited orchards and conducted comprehensive inspections to hand-pick the finest durians based on parameters such as sugar content, pH levels, and microbial counts.
After processing and packaging, the selected durians will be shipped to China within a week. Once there, JD’s sophisticated nationwide cold-chain logistics will take over, ensuring that the durians reaching the consumers are nothing short of fresh and delectable. The first batch of directly sourced durians, consisting of around 6,000 fruits, is estimated to arrive in China in late August.
By adopting a direct sourcing model and leveraging its supply chain advantages, JD is able to offer durians in the Chinese market at the incredibly affordable price of just 29.9 yuan per kilogram. This makes JD the most cost-effective option for the high-quality durians currently available.
China holds a significant role in the durian trade with Thailand. Data from 2022 reveals that China imported a total of 825,000 tons of durians, with 780,000 tons originating from Thailand alone, accounting for over 90% of the total imports. Similarly, China serves as the largest export market for Thai durians, with over 80% of Thai durians being sold to China.
Nov 7, 2024|
CIIE 2024: JD.com to Expand Imports of Specialty Brands, Strengthen Healthcare Partnerships, and Enhance Logistics
At the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5, JD Super, the supermarket division of JD.com, announced a major initiative to broaden its selection of imported specialty. Over the next three years, JD Super plans to introduce over 1,000 new international brands to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, diverse imported goods.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Quality Imports
According to JD Worldwide’s “White Paper on 2024 China Cross-Border Consumption Trends,” more than 80% of Chinese consumers are interested in imported products, with many prioritizing authenticity, quality, and fast delivery. In response, JD has significantly expanded its range of international offerings. During the ongoing Singles’ Day Grand Promotion, sales of cross-border products have surged, with more than 600 brands experiencing a sales increase of over 100% compared to last year.
Strengthening High-Quality Food Partnerships
Demonstrating JD.com’s commitment to sourcing high-quality products, JD Super signed a new procurement agreement at CIIE with Huadong Foods and Teys, a major Australian beef brand under Cargill. Under this agreement, JD Super and Huadong Foods will procure $50 million of Teys beef throughout 2025. This partnership underscores JD’s strategy of collaborating with trusted suppliers to provide high-quality, affordable beef to Chinese consumers.
Delivering Authentic Global Goods Efficiently
JD Logistics has built a robust logistics network that spans bonded, direct mail, and overseas warehouses, facilitating fast deliveries of imported items across categories such as electronics, fashion, beauty, food, and baby products. In many major cities, delivery times have been reduced to under 48 hours.
For instance, JD Super’s partnership with Raub of Malaysia enables the import of Musang King durians, which are harvested at peak ripeness and air-shipped with cold chain logistics for delivery within 24 hours. Additionally, JD.com also secured an early supply of Chilean cherries, available since October, which can be delivered in as little as 30 minutes in many areas through JD NOW, its on-demand retail service.
JD.com’s “JD National Pavilions” program, which features over 150 country-themed flagship stores from more than 70 countries and regions, continues to be a cornerstone of its import strategy. Supported by embassies and reputable organizations, this initiative offers Chinese consumers access to premium products and cultural experiences from around the world. In April, JD launched the JD National Pavilion of Mali, introducing popular items like shea butter and garnering over 40,000 followers.
Expanding Healthcare and Logistics Partnerships
JD Health is also making strides at CIIE by strengthening partnerships with leading global healthcare companies, including Merck, Bayer, and Roche. As “China’s premier online health access point,” JD Health is committed to integrating digital and physical healthcare resources to improve access and convenience for patients.
Key collaborations include initiatives with Haleon to promote brain health and anti-aging for the “silver economy,” with MSD China on a digital diabetes management model, and with Teva Pharmaceuticals to provide patient education for conditions such as tardive dyskinesia (TD) and Huntington’s disease (HD).
On the logistics front, JD Logistics announced plans to double its overseas warehouse space by 2025 and expand its network of bonded and direct mail warehouses. JD Express now serves over 60 countries, enhancing cross-border delivery efficiency and supporting both brands and consumers.
Through these efforts, JD.com reaffirms its commitment to sourcing and delivering authentic, high-quality imported products to Chinese consumers, supported by an advanced supply chain that ensures a superior shopping experience.
(vivian.yang@jd.com)
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