Stories - 21-08-2023
Sitthipong Japanese melons are a hit in Bangkok
Consumers in Bangkok highly appreciate the Sitthipong Japanese melons. The perfect T-shaped peduncle reflects the premium quality. “It is sold out before competing varieties,” Sitthipong Amataphan explains. He is the exclusive supplier of premium melons for Thailand’s high-end retailers. Innovative varieties help him to move ‘Freshly Forward, from Foundation to Future’ – which is Rijk Zwaan’s theme at this year’s Asia Fruit Logistica.
Top-quality standard
Although produced in Thailand, the so-called Japanese melons are known as the top-quality standard of melons in the Asian market. They have become the benchmark for all premium melon growers, Sitthipong explains. “My company is the main supplier of these melons for high-end retailers.”
Sweet, aromatic and dense netting
The Rijk Zwaan varieties Sitthipong favours are the green flesh Sagami RZ and the orange flesh Fujisawa RZ. Both melons have a sweet and aromatic taste and juicy texture, combined with a thick and dense netting and strong peduncle. “Sagami and Fujisawa look very nice and have a good eating quality. The long shelf life is also an important characteristic. The 1.2 to 2.0 kg are my best-selling sizes. I sell about seventy tons per month. They are sold out before competing varieties.”
New melons varieties help to move ‘freshly forward’
To emphasise the premium quality of Sagami and Fujisawa, Sitthipong developed a market brand that carries his name. It shows his speciality as a supplier of high-quality melons. Sitthipong values Rijk Zwaan as a partner in providing these innovative melon varieties. “That is very important for me, because the market always needs something new. It helps me to move ‘freshly forward’.”
Join Rijk Zwaan in moving Freshly Forward
Freshly Forward, from Foundation to Future’ – this is the theme Rijk Zwaan has chosen to encapsulate its roadmap for tackling today’s challenges, together with its partners. We will be presenting robust and resilient solutions as well as inspiring innovations at Asia Fruit Logistica 2023. Visit us at Booth 3L12, Hall 3 and join Rijk Zwaan in moving Freshly Forward!
Related Articles
“Overwhelmingly positive feedback on Sweet Palermo in China”
Whether as an ingredient in a fresh salad, panfried with eggs, or grilled on a barbecue: Chinese consumers love to share their creative ways of preparing Rijk Zwaan’s Sweet Palermo®. “For me, their enthusiasm is the most inspiring part of our campaign,” says Vivan Wang, Marketing Director at Dole China. The company is committed to bringing ‘sunshine’ and ‘fresh’ to consumers’ daily lives, and Sweet Palermo plays a role in that. This prizewinning sweet pointed pepper brand will be showcased at the Rijk Zwaan booth at Asia Fruit Logistica.
“Rijk Zwaan feels like a close friend”
Contributing to a healthy lifestyle is a key driver of the ambitious Indian nursery, Nutrifresh. One way they achieve this is by cultivating SN!BS snack vegetables. “Children love the colours and shapes, while retailers are always keen on new products. Rijk Zwaan is my trusted partner for new varieties, high-quality seeds, agronomic help, and marketing connections. The company feels like a close friend,” co-founder and CEO Sanket Mehta says. He is looking forward to visiting the Rijk Zwaan stand again at this year’s Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong.