SPC Australia has partnered with a Chinese distributor to launch its Goulburn Valley and SPC fruit brands in China.
The Coca-Cola Amatil-owned company is partnering with China State Farm Agribusiness Shanghai (CSFA Shanghai) in the deal that was formally signed at a ceremony in Shanghai last week.
CSFA Shanghai, which will be SPC’s master distributor in China, is part of the CSFA Group Corporation, and is the company behind the success of A2 Milk and A2 Platinum infant formula and Stanbroke Premium Beef.
“China represents a significant business opportunity for SPC in the years ahead, and this is an important step in realising our growth strategy,” SPC managing director Reg Weine said.
“The Chinese market is five times the size of the Australian processed fruit market, which makes this a huge opportunity.”
Weine said CSFA Shanghai has the "dedicated personnel, sales and marketing support we need to build our brands on the ground, as well as the distribution capability to reach China’s burgeoning middle class”.
CSFA Shanghai GM Zhao Qingyong said, “We have established strong business relationships with several Australian companies and we are very pleased to be partnering with SPC to continue developing successful businesses in China”.
SPC has appointed wellknown celebrity, singer and actress Ye Yiqian as its brand ambassador for China, to give the brand a consumer face in the market.
“Ye Yiqian has already injected a great amount of personality and style into our brands ahead of our launch into the Chinese market,” Weine said.
SPC said it also plans to bring its premium branded products to Chinese consumers through high-end supermarkets, speciality retailers and leading on-line and e-commerce platforms.
