NutriAsia and CJ Foods have partnered to expand access to authentic Korean food for the Philippine e-commerce market.
Under the agreement signed today at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, NutriAsia will distribute and represent CJ Foods’ flagship brand, bibigo, across NutriAsia’s e-commerce shops in major marketplaces resembling Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.
“On the subject of e-commerce, our group manages Shopee, Lazada, Tiktok… [The partnership] is special because often the allowances of NutriAsia for e-commerce is barely for our own brands,” NutriAsia Digital Business Development Head Christian G. Domingo told the media in mixed English and Filipino.
Mr. Domingo noted that CJ Foods’ limited online presence is a spot that the partnership is addressing.
The collaboration combines Filipino and South Korean culinary traditions while elevating the net grocery experience. Filipino shoppers can now access online a curated number of authentic bibigo products, including dumplings, frozen food, seaweed snacks, and traditional Korean sauces.
“Since we’re also exploring Korean stuff, just like the food you might be eating, why not invite any individual who isn’t a competitor, who’s really Korean, who can be on the lookout for a strategy to get into the e-commerce market,” Mr. Domingo said.
By leveraging NutriAsia’s strong e-commerce presence, CJ Foods goals to speed up the expansion and accessibility of its products within the Philippine market.
The partnership has already delivered strong results, generating greater than 1 million pesos in sales during its first month of pilot operations, reflecting growing local demand for premium Korean cuisine.
Mr. Domingo clarified with the media that CJ Foods products can be found in other physical outlets resembling convenience and grocery stores. Nevertheless, the e-commerce market is exclusive to NutriAsia’s platforms.
He also said that cross-border expansion to Korea will rely on what CJ Foods will allow.
“Mostly, for now, it’s the Philippine market,” Mr. Domingo said.
NutriAsia General Manager Ampy C. Rio described the partnership as the beginning of a long-term collaboration that can strengthen the digital grocery ecosystem and rejoice the shared love of Filipino and Korean food.
“The partnership we rejoice today is an indication of greater things to come back. That is just the start of a fruitful collaboration onwards and upwards for NutriAsia and CJ Foods,” Ms. Rio said. — Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba