WH Group Limited, the Chinese-owned parent company of Smithfield Foods Inc., has announced that Smithfield has jointly launched a Tripartite Strategic Partnership Agreement with JD.com, China's largest retailer, and Henan Shuanghui Investment and Development Co. Ltd. According to the agreement, which was announced at an event in New York, the fresh food division of JD.com, JD Fresh, will become the exclusive online sales platform for Smithfield's pork products in China. In addition, the parties will sell more than ten kinds of exclusive products on JD.com, and further cooperate on big data, cold chain logistics and foods traceability.
Kenneth Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Smithfield, said at the ceremony, "Through this partnership, Smithfield Foods will take yet another step in developing its e-commerce business and expand its presence in China, as we meet consumers where they shop. Smithfield has a strong food safety platform and we take this even further to deliver products consumers enjoy and feel good about sharing with their families. We are proud to bring this longstanding reputation and sense of responsibility to our partnership with JD.com."