OneDayOne and Francaise Food target Saudi Arabia’s growing Asian produce category

OneDayOne Group and Saudi importer Francaise Food are expanding access to Asian specialty fruits and premium Chinese mushrooms in Saudi Arabia. The joint venture is targeting growing retail demand for differentiated fresh produce in the region, as well as working on delivering more consistent year-round supply.

The partnership gives OneDayOne a more direct route into the Saudi market, where the firm sees opportunities to complement domestic production with premium fruits and vegetables from China and Southeast Asia.

“We started exporting our fresh produce to Saudi Arabia with Francaise Food in the middle of this year. We’re pleased to see our products now on shelves in Saudi Arabia,” a company spokesperson explained to FreshFruitPortal.com.

Offerings tailored to the Saudi consumer

OneDayOne has operated in Dubai for 17 years, supplying more than 40 varieties of fresh produce year-round and serving customers through wholesale markets, supermarkets, restaurants, and delivery services.

The spokesperson said Dubai’s approximately 4.8 million residents represent a diverse range of nationalities, creating demand for a broad selection of produce. 

“Many consumers are already familiar with Chinese and Southeast Asian fruits and vegetables. In recent years, supermarkets have increasingly introduced these products, supported by consumer promotions from producing countries such as Thailand,” the representative noted.

Saudi Arabia presents a different market profile, with a population of approximately 35 million. Riyadh and Jeddah together account for more than 10 million people, and local consumers are more prevalent than in Dubai, the spokesperson indicated.

“These differences in population composition shape consumption occasions, product preferences, and expectations around pack sizes and packaging formats. We therefore see Saudi Arabia as a market that requires its own approach,” the company said.

The firm sees growing opportunities as Saudi Arabia develops its agricultural sector under Vision 2030. According to the spokesperson, domestic production is helping meet demand for everyday fruits and vegetables, while imported Asian produce could broaden the selection available to consumers.

Building trust

OneDayOne also noted that reliable quality and year-round availability remain important considerations for importers looking to take a bite out of the Saudi market. Long transit times, high temperatures, and seasonal production can complicate supply, particularly when importers rely on a limited number of growing regions.

Before the partnership, OneDayOne products already reached Saudi Arabia through various intermediaries. The company said this approach adds handling at each stage and increases the risk of inconsistent temperature management and quality control.

“Our partnership with Francaise Food allows us to shorten that supply chain, reduce intermediary handling, and strengthen quality oversight. It also brings us closer to the market, enabling more flexible local inventory management and delivery services for customers,” the representative stressed.

The spokesperson said the company’s sourcing network across different origins and growing seasons also supports its efforts to maintain more consistent quality and supply.

“Our approach is to build on our experience in the UAE while working closely with Francaise Food to understand local preferences and tailor our product range and presentation accordingly,” they concluded.

*Top photo by Omar Al Ghosson via Unsplash. | Body images by OneDayOne.

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