Fresh produce is being sold more and more on online channels, signalling a change in grocery shopping habits. – VNS Photo Viet Dung

Sales of fresh produce like meat and fruits continue to see massive growth on e-commerce platforms even after the COVID-19 pandemic has been controlled.

In July Lazada reported 200 per cent growth in the three months since it began selling them in April. The number of suppliers had increased six-fold.

A Lazada spokesperson told Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper that COVID-19 had helped move customers' shopping from offline to online, and growth in fresh produce sales continued to grow even after the pandemic was controlled.

Tiki too reported positive results since launching fresh produce in HCM City in early May, with premium seafood, meat and fruits being the items most in demand.

Fresh produce accounted for more than 40 per cent of fast delivery orders (within less than three hours), it said.

Vu Thi Nhat Linh, deputy general director of Tiki.vn, said it was a long-term business model and would be expanded to other provinces and cities.

Vo Thanh Loc, CEO of produce supplier Farmers Market, said within one month of starting to sell on the platform, Tiki accounted for more than 20 per cent of online sales.

Many other e-commerce platforms have also seen growth in fresh produce sales, and are considering it part of their long-term business strategy.

They are also seeking to reduce their delivery time, with some promising to make it two hours or even one. – VNS