Sourcing the great foods of Canada for Asia
 

Hey guys,

I just moved to new role during my trainee stint with a company here in HK. I'm looking to source and bring in a bunch of Canadian stuff to our stores as

1) We're always looking for new and exciting things the world over
2) There's things I like from Canada that we don't have here
3) Oversaturation of UK, Aussy, NZ stuff IMO

Problem is, the only thing I can think of is Polaris water, I've been away from Van for so long I'm not sure what's new and exciting in Van! So if you have any suggestions on the categories below, you know, stuff that you like new or existing (and why), I'll definitely look into it. Really appreciate your help.

P.S. Suggest anything American too if you like.

Categories of interest:

Breakfast Foods
Coffee
Water
Non Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated
Juices
Jams/Spreads
Oils (cooking)
Baking Aids
Cooknig Aids (i.e. some organic whatever overpriced salt or something)
Canned goods
Sauces
Dried fruits/nuts

Is your list for real?

If it is... then are you asking for advice to rip consumers off in HK?

You stone cold.

http://i.imgur.com/wFUU4l.jpg

I think it's going to be pretty hard to differentiate between Canadian and American. To me, the two sort of blend together. I also think we need to know what the purpose of the types of food you're planning on importing would be. If you're just planning on selling it in a supermarket for homesick Canadian and American expats in HK, there are a couple of options already available:

Hong Kong Hustle » Hey Kool-Aid! American junk food in H.K.! - Hong Kong nightlife, street fashion, culture, and cool

Off the top of my head, some things I wanted from Van which I couldn't get in HK were:
- Solid deodorant
- Certain chocolate bars (Mr. Big)
- Doughnuts (although I wouldn't imagine you would ship these)
- Canadian beers (although you could buy them at CitySuper for some ridiculous prices)

Dude, anything imported = rip off consumers.

Doesn't matter where its from US/UK/Japan. Frankly people in HK don't care (and don't have a choice really).

Thanks dude. Yeah I've been to those stores already, HK in general does a pretty good job of getting the big boys in, I'm trying to go a diff path by bringing in more obscure brands in. We're starting to get big on Organic/Natural foods, and I really want to look into the upstart coffee brands/coffee shops. I just couldn't think of any cool new things from say downtown/yaletown etc.

Price wise, we can't REALLY overcharge because the market reacts so freakin quickly here. We're not Wholefoods lol

When I go back to HK, I usually bring with me:

Canadian ham (big ones from Superstore)
Quakers oatmeal (grandma likes it)
Boxes of peaches in the summer if available

For me when I go back for vacation, I wish I have:
Aquafina water because water in HK taste like shit.
Canadian Coca Cola (too sweet in HK)
Smoke salmon
Real king crab (HK ones look funny)
Lobster (HK ones are skinny)
General fruits

Curious what store is this for?

There are a few stores in the Central area that are stocked with Kirkland products already. The prices are actually about the same as Costco in BC (since they import the stuff from Costco US). Not to mention free delivery and all that.

Last time I flew, the cabin crew passed on a few boxes on Tims to the ground crew in HK.

This will destroy you and put you out of business so fast.

Avoid niche market coffee unless you want to get something in mass quantities and is readily available like Tim Horton's coffee.

I haven't been in HK for 3 years so I'm just throwing random ideas out there

Canadian Beef (even US Angus beef in HK tastes like shit)
Ketchup Chips
Canadian Bacon
Happy Planet Juices?

In before OP posts he's coming back to Canada because his business failed.

I don't know about HK, but for Korea the only products that are really wanted from Canada are supplements (like Omega-3) and maple syrup

my family likes to bring Crest toothpaste back to vietnam cus apparently the ones made in asia suck =\

This. My family is always asking us to bring maple syrup, supplements and those nougat candies

No wonder my korean friend's dad's business is doing so well exporting Canadian health supplements.

Actually, while we're on the topic, I would love for Canada to push for a FTA with Hong Kong. Would be fucking awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeee

YES! Vitamins and supplements are super expensive in HK compared to here!

Quinoa?

Its not a Canadian thing but its gotten to pretty big.

Try looking around here? I tried googling..

Canadian Food Exporters Association
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+1 for ketchup chips
My sister brings a few bags back everytime she visits.

Hmm are vitamins/supplements legal to ship? I know meds aren't.

It is HK, pretty much everything goes; even meds just because the public healthcare system won't use them, doesn't mean street level pharmacies etc don't sell them.

You can source is much cheaply from South America?

Why? It doesn't mean we don't have to pay HST.. HK already don't have taxes AND taxes in China are only for their domestic / local only. If we have a FTA with HK, it would be limited to goods produced in HK and they don't produce much!

As well Coffee Crisp chocolate bars. I'm not sure if they are in HK but I know they don't sell them in the US.