Studying agricultural product trade experience from AEON Group

On October 10, during a business trip to study and exchange experiences in Japan, the Steering Committee of the Campaign "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods" in Ho Chi Minh City had a working session with Japan's AEON Group.

Mr Okazaki SoiChi, a member of the Board of Executive Directors in charge of the ASEAN region (AEON Group) said, the 5 main business policies that have made AEON one of the largest retail trade groups in the world include: Diversify retail models, promote digital transformation, strengthen product and supply chain development, specialize sales areas, and establish corresponding sustainable relationships.

According to Mr Okazaki SoiChi, starting from the viewpoint of "selling customers good products but at cheap prices", AEON has created its own brand "TOPVALU". This is a group of brands based on customer tastes and organic products, a group of brands that compete on price.

Leaders of AEON Group said that the upcoming trend will shift to the production of organic products. This trend will help products reach many countries around the world. However, to achieve this takes a long time.

Sharing about the process of creating organic products to supply to the market, leaders of AEON Group said, it took the unit an average of about 3 years to improve land for organic production. During these 3 years, businesses and authorities have had to accompany farmers, support and commit to purchasing products and labelling them "pre-organic".

Mr. Okazaki Soichi expects that there will be cooperation on agricultural projects, bringing Vietnamese agricultural products into AEON's distribution system or farmer support programs.

Ms Nguyen Thanh Xuan, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Farmers' Association, and member of the Steering Committee of the Campaign "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese products" in Ho Chi Minh City assessed, that AEON Group has a diverse ecosystem and one of the largest retail trade groups in the world. Therefore, the working group expects to gain a lot of experience in governance and system building such as: Goods distribution activities in Japan, including wholesale distribution channels, modern and traditional retail distribution channels, wholesale markets, and logistics services; experience in models invested and operated by AEON Group; green economic models, circular economy, organic agriculture, environmentally friendly supply chain operating methods...

According to Ms. Xuan, in the coming time, Ho Chi Minh City will aim to build urban agriculture, organic agriculture, and high-tech agriculture and actively promote OCOP products. At the same time, connect the "3 pillars" (state - farmers - scientists) to connect supply and demand, creating valuable, high-quality products.

"HCMC hopes to have specific cooperative solutions with AEON for sustainable development," said the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Farmers' Association.

On October 8, the working group of the Steering Committee of the Campaign "Vietnamese People Prioritize Using Vietnamese Goods" in Ho Chi Minh City also attended the program "Vietnam Pho Festival" in Japan.

The program "Vietnam Pho Festival" aims to promote and introduce Vietnamese cuisine to people in Japan on the occasion of 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

This is also the central task of the Campaign for Vietnamese people to prioritize using Vietnamese goods in building the image and improving the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods.

From October 5 - 9 at AEON Shopping Center - Tan Phu Celadon (Tan Phu district, Ho Chi Minh City) the "Exhibition of Vietnamese Business Products and conference to connect Vietnamese businesses to bring goods into AEON supermarket chain in 2023" program took place.

This is a series of annual trade promotion activities to create opportunities to promote cooperation between AEON Group and Vietnamese enterprises that have products that meet quality standards, ensure food safety and hygiene, and have reputable brands. Thereby, bringing Vietnamese-branded products and goods to domestic and international consumers.

At the same time, connection activities with AEON product group leaders will help businesses appreciate product quality and grasp consumer trends. This is to orient production appropriately, and gradually improve the quality and competitiveness of products, aiming to export to the Japanese market and other demanding markets requiring products of high quality.

Japan is the 4th largest trade partner and the 3rd largest export partner of Vietnam. In the first 8 months of 2023, Vietnam - Japan import-export turnover is estimated to reach $ 29.1 billion, of which Vietnam's export turnover in the first 8 months of this year to the Japanese market reached nearly $ 14 billion.