A new online marketplace has been launched to offer manufactures, producers and brands a full enterprise solution to enter and trade in China and South East Asia.
Fast gaining traction, eShop – an initiative of supply chain group Tigers Global Logistics South Africa – offers a costeffective, scalable one-stopshop solution for companies of all sizes – from marketing to taking payments, managing the supply chain, order fulfilment and returns, according to Tigers managing director, Paul Lawrence.
“It provides a full payment gateway for online purchasing and basically gives the producer control of their brand as they set the pricing and they get full visibility of who is buying their product," explains Lawrence, adding that it eliminates the complexities of trying to enter complicated Asian markets.
“Tigers currently has a very strong focus on the China market where demand for fresh produce is rising,” he says.
“The eShop enables producers to sell their products directly to the Asian consumer with Tigers moving the products from the origin directly to their home,” says Lawrence.
Commenting on current trends in the South African perishable sector he says demand for South African wines is growing globally with many local estates now considered ‘first growth’ estates by several of the world’s prominent wine critics.
“We have developed a specialised wine product and are a fully licensed importer and distributor of wines in the USA. Our operations in the UK, Germany, China and Malaysia offer the same services.” According to Lawrence there has also been an increase in the export of frozen or chilled protein out of South Africa.
“The South African producers have noticed opportunities arising from the disparity in cost of protein between the local South African market and first world markets. With the rand keeping South Africa competitive on exports, we expect to see real growth in the lamb and beef sector with South Africa having real potential to become more dominant in this space.”
He says another fast growing perishable commodity is blueberries.
“South African producers will begin to see the value in their recent investments. This season will be the first of many for these producers as they begin to tap into the large global demand for this fruit. This will see a vast increase in airfreight traffic for this commodity out of the Western Cape.”
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The eShop enables producers to sell their products directly to the Asian consumer with Tigers moving the products from the origin. – Paul Lawrence
