- Business
- Chongqing Hongjiu Fruit Co., Limited engages in the whole industrial chain operation of fruits, delivering fresh fruit products from local orchards to national retail terminals through sales and distribution networks and efficient end-to-end supply chain systems; its core products include durian, mangosteen, longan, dragon fruit, cherry, grapes, lychee, pomegranate, plum, yellow peach, kiwi, mango, citrus, tangerine, apple, and other fruits sourced primarily from China, Thailand, Vietnam, Chile, and the Philippines; the company offers purchasing, importing, sorting, packaging, and wholesale distribution services to terminal wholesalers, retailers, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms, and direct sales channels across China, supported by 19 sales branches, 60 sorting centers, overseas subsidiaries, logistics transportation, customs declaration, and factory rental services. Founded in 2002 and headquartered at 22F Block B Zhongtiefenghui, 3 Donghu South Road, Yubei District, Chongqing, China, it operates as a multi-brand fresh fruit group under brands such as Hongjiu Fruit, Thai Yummy, Yopretty, and Finest All, holding leading positions as China's largest durian distributor and top distributor of pitaya, mangosteen, and longan. The company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in September 2022 as China's first publicly traded fruit distributor, with shareholders including Alibaba, China State Farms, Sunshine Insurance, Shenzhen Capital Group, and Jinyi Capital; it maintains a nationwide network covering 300 cities and employs advanced digital systems like the Hongjiu Star Bridge for global supply chain management. In recent developments, trading of its shares has been suspended since March 2024 due to delays in publishing 2023 annual and 2024 interim financial results, alongside ongoing independent investigations and internal control reviews; additionally, in April 2024, chairman Deng Hongjiu and several executive directors and supervisors were placed under criminal coercive measures by Chongqing authorities over allegations of loan fraud and fraudulent VAT invoices, with one primary office restricted since January 2024, though business operations continue as usual. The company is working with auditors and advisers to finalize overdue reports and fulfill resumption guidance from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with quarterly updates confirming progress on investigations amid the continued trading halt.