Yiguo Group launches fresh grocery tracking system

Chinese fresh grocery e-commerce platform Yiguo Group announced on Tuesday the launch of an order-based tracking system to increase the transparency of fresh food logistics and food safety.

To solve the problems confronting the nation's fresh grocery market, including lack of standards, short shelf life and high reliance on cold chain, Yiguo aims to build the traceability of fresh food from suppliers to clients.

China's fresh grocery market value has exceeded 4 trillion yuan, and is expected to keep growing in the coming years, said a report from Guotai Junan Securities.

However, such a promising market is under unstable quality of products due to segmented quality controls.

"Setting up a complete tracking system for fresh groceries that connects material producers to end consumers with detailed information is necessary," said Jin Guanglei, co-founder and co-chairman of Yiguo Group .

According to Jin, the tracking information includes the name of the producer and the exact location of the product, as well as its preserved temperature throughout processing and delivery.

The system will enable customers to find out every product's origin and its processing information, added Jin.

A strategic cooperation agreement was also reached between Yiguo Group and CCIC Traceability Technology Service Co Ltd on Tuesday. The two parties agreed to deepen their cooperation in the tracking system's data, platform and system development, so as to build an ecosystem for fresh groceries.

"By data sharing and supply chain collaboration, we are working on providing consumers traceable and quality products," said Wang Chengjie, general manager of CCIC Traceability Technology Service.

Initially, the system is capable of tracking products of seafood, animal protein and fruit. The Yiguo self-developed tracking system welcomes the participation of all players in this sector, Jin said.