Tuesday, August 28, 2018

More Oregon Ag Products for China

By Karen Robes Meeks

Thanks to a newly minted cooperation with hoopla Global, the Port of Portland and Oregon agricultural brands will reach even more Chinese consumers.

Founded in early 2017 to do away with the “hoopla” or barriers around exporting “Made in the USA” natural and organic consumer products, the Portland-based hoopla Global recently launched its flagship store on e-commerce JD.com, a major retailer in China, a move that makes Made in USA natural products accessible to the Chinese market.

“In my more than 30 years of doing business directly with China, I have never experienced this level of open market access for USA brands that JD is providing us,” said Stuart Follen, co-founder and chairman of hoopla Global. “Our flagship store on JD is the fulfillment of a dream to provide my Chinese friends and their friends with the trusted ‘Better for You’ products they could previously only get by hopping on a plane and traveling to the U.S.”

“JD.com is pleased to announce our partnership with hoopla Global and to offer Made in the USA natural and organic brands to our more than 300 million customers,” said Vicky Zhuang, general manager North America of JD.com.

“As we continue to grow our offering of U.S. brands, we look forward to expanding our cooperation with hoopla Global.”

“We are excited about this entrepreneurial launch by a Portland-based company to open international access for Oregon and other USA food makers,” said Keith Leavitt, chief commercial officer at the Port of Portland. “The intermodal rail service at Terminal 6 is an example of how we are offering hoopla Global and other local shippers another option to move their products to domestic and overseas markets,” he added.