Australia wants to increase the consumption of its stonefruits and table grapes in the Philippines, and convenience stores have been established as an appropriate market for doing so.
Australian Trade (AusTrade) Commission Minister Counsellor and Senior Trade Commissioner Anthony Weymouth indicated that convenience stores would be ideal partners to help expand the reach of Australian stonefruits and table grapes beyond supermarkets in metro Manila. “We are looking to have them available from July in convenience stores,” he said, pointing specifically to Mini Stop and 7-Eleven.
The push is part of Australia’s “Now In Season Australia” initiative, currently in its third year. The program makes fresh fruits available in more than 100 locations of Robinsons Supermarket, Rustan’s Fresh, Rustan’s Marketplace, Rustan’s Supermarket, S&R, SM Supermarket, SM Hypermart and Shopwise in Manila.
AusTrade negotiates with retailers to provide Australian fruits annually. “We discuss with them their retail plans and negotiate the terms,” Weymouth said. “We provide them the timeframe, point-of-sale materials and promotional activities.”
Australian fresh fruit exports to the Philippines are expected to average
between $20 million and $25 million this year.
