Olam Food Ingredients Shanghai Limited (commonly referred to as ofi Shanghai) is a core regional entity of ofi, the food ingredients division of Olam Group. Headquartered in Shanghai, this division functions as a strategic gateway to the vast Chinese and East Asian markets, delivering a broad portfolio of sustainable, traceable, and natural food ingredients. As part of a global supply chain that spans over 50 countries, ofi Shanghai integrates sourcing, processing, logistics, and innovation to meet the needs of regional and multinational food companies.
Core Business and Offerings
ofi Shanghai offers a diversified range of high-quality food ingredients that cater to the evolving tastes and demands of China's food and beverage industry. Its key product categories include:
- Dairy: Milk powder, cheese, and butter sourced and processed under strict hygiene and quality controls.
- Cocoa: Includes sustainably sourced cocoa beans, cocoa powder, and cocoa butter, aligned with the Cocoa Compass sustainability program.
- Edible Nuts: Cashews, almonds, walnuts, and pistachios processed in world-class facilities with allergen management protocols.
- Spices: Black pepper, chili, turmeric, and custom spice blends for snacks, sauces, and ready meals.
- Dehydrated Vegetables: Garlic, onion, and tomato flakes and powders used in instant and processed food segments.
- Sugar: Both raw and refined sugar, supporting industrial and retail customers.
- Coffee: Green and roasted coffee beans with traceability systems tailored to specialty coffee buyers.
- Rice: Varieties like Basmati, Jasmine, and long grain rice sourced from global origins including India and Thailand.
Specialization and Unique Strengths
ofi Shanghai leverages Olam’s global network and vertically integrated supply chain to ensure consistency, quality, and traceability. Key strengths include:
- End-to-end supply chain control from farm to factory to customer, allowing full visibility and transparency.
- Strong commitment to sustainability through programs like AtSource, which tracks environmental and social impact metrics across supply chains.
- Access to R&D and innovation centers where ingredient solutions are tailored to Chinese consumer trends and regulatory requirements.
ofi’s integrated operations help Chinese food brands reduce risk while elevating product innovation.
Financial Performance and Trade Data
As part of the publicly listed Olam Group, ofi reported total revenues of USD 9.9 billion in FY 2023, with Asia-Pacific accounting for a significant portion of sales. China, as a manufacturing and consumption hub, plays a critical role in this success.
Trade data indicates that:
- ofi Shanghai manages hundreds of import-export transactions annually, focusing on ingredient delivery to major cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.
- Key imports into China include cocoa from West Africa, spices from India and Vietnam, and coffee from Colombia and Ethiopia.
- Products are distributed to FMCG companies, foodservice operators, and industrial processors.
ofi’s warehousing and cold chain networks enable just-in-time delivery models for perishable and sensitive ingredients.
Target Market
ofi Shanghai’s clientele includes:
- Large multinational food and beverage companies
- Regional snack and dairy producers
- Health and wellness brands focusing on clean-label and traceable ingredients
- Foodservice chains and HoReCa channels
The company has built long-term partnerships with global giants such as Nestlé, Mondelez, and PepsiCo, and is increasingly working with premium local brands and startups.
Capabilities and Infrastructure
ofi Shanghai is equipped with:
- Application and innovation centers that support customers in developing custom formulations and prototypes.
- Quality assurance labs that adhere to international food safety standards.
- Strategic sourcing hubs connected to global origins, ensuring secure and consistent supply of ingredients.
The company also operates data-driven procurement and logistics systems, providing customers with traceability, forecasting, and digital integration.
Certifications and Compliance
ofi Shanghai adheres to stringent international and Chinese regulatory standards, including:
- ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, and HACCP food safety systems
- BRC (British Retail Consortium) standards
- Certifications for organic, Fairtrade, and Rainforest Alliance products
- Compliance with China's GB food safety standards
ofi’s traceability system, AtSource, gives customers access to environmental, social, and economic impact metrics directly from the supply chain.
Recognition and Testimonials
ofi has been widely recognized for:
- Winning the 2023 Food Ingredients China Innovation Award
- Being listed in EcoVadis’ top 1% of sustainable suppliers globally
- Being selected by major food brands for joint sustainability projects in Asia
Customer feedback highlights ofi's reliability in ingredient sourcing, responsiveness to supply chain disruptions, and strong innovation support.
Major Achievements
- Opened the Shanghai Customer Solutions Center to develop local market innovations and collaborate with Chinese food companies.
- Successfully onboarded over 2,000 Chinese customers, from major corporates to niche food artisans.
- Helped partners reduce carbon emissions by 35% through sustainable sourcing initiatives in 2023.
- Named a strategic supplier for COFCO and Bright Dairy, two of China’s leading food conglomerates.
Olam Food Ingredients Shanghai Limited represents the synergy of global scale and local relevance, offering China’s food industry a unique blend of ingredient innovation, sustainability leadership, and operational excellence.
