Setting up a vegetable and fish sourcing system

Since 2007, Fresh Studio has been contracted by a multinational wholesaler to manage and develop their vegetable and fish sourcing systems, with the aim to improve product quality and safety standards.

The assignment began with the establishment of a sourcing system in Dalat (Central Highlands of Vietnam). A certified sourcing system with over 150 contracted farmers was drawn up, and a new state-of-the-art HACCP certified pack house was designed and constructed. This system has been running very successfully for over 5 years, and the volumes produced, along with the number of farmers involved, are growing steadily. Every day the Fresh Studio sourcing team is handling over 150 different SKUs, preparing them for nationwide distribution to our client stores.

Inspired by the success of this project, our client asked us to develop a similar system for vegetables in the North of Vietnam, and for fish in Southern Vietnam.

Our aims are:

  • To develop year round supply of guaranteed high quality and safe vegetables from North Vietnam, Fresh Studio is working with 100 smallholder vegetable farmers in the lowlands of the Red River Delta, as well as the poorer and more remote farmers located in the mountains in the North. Using the climatic advantage of the cooler mountains in North Vietnam, a regional solution is being developed to supplement the vegetable supply from the Red River Delta during the summer period, thus creating the possibility for year round supply of guaranteed high quality and safe vegetables from North Vietnam.
  • Almost all investments and professionalization in the aquaculture sector of Vietnam have just focussed on pangasius and shrimp, which are the main seafood export products. But as our client targets the 88 million domestic consumers, nobody till date had developed a professional fresh fish sourcing and processing system targeting the 80 fish species which the Vietnamese love to eat. Within two years time Fresh Studio assisted its client to setup and manage the first fresh fish processing facility and developed a sourcing system which now every day sources fresh fish from over 100 well trained and certified fish farmers and 20 preferred marine and fresh water certified fish collectors.

Potato potential assessment

Our Dutch client, a potato seed and potato trading company, approached Fresh Studio with a view to conducting a feasibility study regarding the production and marketing of high quality Dutch table and processing potatoes in Vietnam.

We researched cultivation potential by testing 15 different potato varieties in Dalat and North Vietnam. Market potential and consumer preference were investigated through market research of current potato sales and consumption, consumer panels, food labs with chefs, sales pilots across modern and traditional outlets, and product test in co-operation with the processing industry.

The research resulted in potato breeds, which grow well across climate zones, and which offer sound market potential. Both professional services and private consumers clearly preferred selections of Dutch high-quality variety above the current offer.

Developing the vegetable seed market for high-quality seeds

Since 2006, Fresh Studio has been contracted by a Dutch vegetable seed company – one of the world leaders in breeding and distributing innovative high quality vegetable seeds.

After an extensive seed market study in various countries in Asia, our client contracted us to undertake continuous vegetable variety screening trials at numerous locations in Vietnam, including at our own R&D farm.

In addition to these trials, we assisted our client in developing the market for their vegetable varieties in Vietnam through farmer field days, and other small chain projects where we link farmers who grow the high quality vegetable varieties our client sells to vegetable processors, vegetable exporters and supermarket chains.

Creating market access for organic vegetables

Striving to improve organic agriculture in all areas from production to consumption in a sustainable manner, our client approached Fresh Studio for assistance in attaining market access for organic vegetables in Hanoi.

We established the food supply chain, by organizing and training farmer groups in business skills beyond cultivation, and linking them to supermarkets in Hanoi.

Using our consumer research, which delivered insights about the perception of organic vegetables, as well as consumer willingness to pay for organic quality, we developed a distinct market proposition for our client.

Our marketing team and in-house design translated the proposition into a complete set of in-store display, packaging and consumer communication materials. To educate consumers on organic quality, we organized an in-store information campaign, including promoters to answer consumer questions on the spot.

Consumers responded enthusiastically to products offered, which were sold out daily. Information about organic practices, in combination with high quality, professionally displayed produce allowed premium price levels while at the same time realizing consumer trust and satisfaction.

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