Business Daily Media

Men's Weekly

.

DFI Retail Group Launches Low-Carbon Rice Pilot Programme Reduces at Least 30% in GHG Emissions

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 22 April 2025 - DFI Retail Group (DFI or the Group), a leading Asian retailer with diverse business formats, has launched a low-carbon rice cultivation pilot programme in 2024 in Thailand.

This initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the rice industry. By implementing new farming techniques, DFI seeks to promote the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and enhance environmental awareness among its supply chains. This innovative programme successfully produced 110,000kg of certified low-carbon rice in 2024, achieving a minimum 30% reduction in GHG emissions on the rice fields compared to conventional cultivation methods.

DFI Retail Group launches Low-Carbon Rice Pilot Programme in Thailand
DFI Retail Group launches Low-Carbon Rice Pilot Programme in Thailand

Rice is an important commodity across Asia, where 85% of the world's production occurs, with Thailand ranking as the sixth-largest rice producer globally. In Hong Kong alone, the annual consumption of approximately 255,105 metric tons 1, 2 of rice results in around 1,060,982 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent 3, 4 emissions — comparable to driving around the world 106,532 times 5.

This crop constitutes one of DFI's top Scope 3 product categories, accounting for approximately 6% of total Scope 3 emissions based on 2023 data. Traditional rice farming involves flooding fields for extended periods, which creates anaerobic conditions in the soil. This lack of oxygen allows microbes to release methane—a GHG with a global warming potential 28 times greater than carbon dioxide—into the atmosphere, significantly impacting climate change.

In response to this environmental challenge, DFI collaborated with agricultural experts, the Thai government, and researchers to develop a low-carbon rice cultivation programme. The pilot programme partnered with 30 local farmers to implement sustainable farming techniques, including:

  • Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD): Instead of the traditional 120 days of continuous flooding of the rice fields, the programme uses an irrigation technique called AWD, reducing flooding to about 10 days. This approach not only conserves water but also reduces methane emissions while maintaining production yields.
  • Straw Burning Prohibition: Support for farmers to eliminate open-field burning of rice straw, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution.
  • Soil and Fertiliser Management: Closely monitored soil quality and fertiliser application, with guidance from agricultural experts. Soil samples were analysed to optimise nutrient use and minimise nitrous oxide emissions.

In 2025, DFI would continue with the programme and aims to launch 200,000kg of low-carbon rice under the Yu Pin King brand in the Hong Kong market. This initiative will raise public awareness and promote sustainable agriculture across supply chains. DFI will also explore further partnerships and low-carbon sourcing opportunities to enhance its impact.

Erica Chan, Group Chief Legal, Governance and Corporate Affairs Officer shared, "Beyond value and quality, we are committed to sustainability. This programme exemplifies our dedication to pursuing sustainable goals. We wish to influence the industry, our stakeholders across the value chain to take collective action towards a sustainable future."

Fann Yuen, Group Own Brand Director added, "Customers prefer sustainable products but not at a higher cost. Guided by DFI's 'customer-first' approach, we are dedicated to providing sustainable options that are affordable."

The rice produced through this low-carbon cultivation programme is now available under Wellcome's Own Brand Yu Pin King Thai Jasmine Fragrant Rice (5kg). Customers can find it on shelves at designated Wellcome stores in Hong Kong and purchase it online.

DFI remains devoted to offering more sustainable choices for customers in the future, ensuring that sustainability aligns with affordability.

[1] Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department. (2023). Rice: Per capita consumption
[2] Census and Statistics Department. (2023, 15 August). Mid-2023 population estimates
[3] AGRIBALYSE®. (n.d.). Data extracted from dataset available at: Recherche Data Gouv.
[4] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Greenhouse Gas Emissions from a Typical Passenger Vehicle
[5] National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (n.d.). The Earth. NASA Imagine the Universe.

For detailed information about DFI Low-Carbon Rice Pilot Programme, please refer to here.
Hashtag: #DFIRetailGroup #LowCarbonRice #YuPinKing #Wellcome #MarketPlace #Sustainability #ESG #ReduceCarbonEmissions

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

DFI Retail Group

DFI Retail Group (the 'Group') is a leading Asian retailer, driven by its purpose to "Sustainably Serve Asia for Generations with Everyday Moments".

As at 31 Dec 2024, the Group, its associates and joint ventures operated over 10,700 outlets, and employed over 190,000 people.

The Group is dedicated to delivering quality, value and service to Asian consumers through a compelling retail experience, supported by an extensive store network and highly efficient supply chains.

The Group, including associates and joint ventures, operates a portfolio of well-known brands across six key divisions: health and beauty, convenience, food, home furnishings, restaurants and other retailing.

News from Asia

HKPC Makes Its Debut at China International Industry Fair 2025

Leading Future Manufacturing with AI Taking 54 Hong Kong Enterprises to Explore Overseas Opportunities HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 September 2025 - Hong Kong Productivity Counc...

PAObank and China Ping An Insurance (Hong Kong) Launch Strategic Partnership, Bringing Integrated Banking and Insurance Solutions, Shaping a Digital Bank with Insurance DNA

PAObank 5th Anniversary Treasure Reward UNLOCK High-Interest Time Deposit and Travel Insurance All in OneHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 September 2025 - PAO Bank Limited ("PAObank")...

MINT Incorporation Limited Announces the Launch of New Subsidiary, Axonex Intelligence Limited, Expanding into Smart Facility Management Solutions

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 September 2025 - MINT Incorporation Limited (NASDAQ: MIMI) ("MINT" or the "Company"), a leading Hong Kong-based provider of integrated interior design...

Merlin Entertainments' LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Hong Kong Halloween Special Event: "Monster Party" Unleashes a Brick-or-Treat Adventure

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 September 2025 - From now until 2 November 2025, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Hong Kong, part of Merlin Entertainments Group, invites LEGO® fans of all a...

Allianz Trade in Asia Pacific appoints CEO for Hong Kong Hub

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 September 2025 - Allianz Trade in Asia Pacific is pleased to appoint Hassan Omaish to the role of CEO for Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan (collectiv...

Parisian Luxury Debuts in Bangkok: Rabbit Holdings, under BTS Group, in cooperation with Ananda Unveil "THE RESIDENCES 38" Bangkok’s Ultra-Luxury Condominium with First-Ever Private Fine Dining Kitchen—Together with La Clef Bangkok by The Crest Collection

The French Art de Vivre comes to Sukhumvit 38, combining the ultra-luxury living of The Residences 38, the refined hospitality of La Clef Bangkok by The Crest Collection, and exclusive private dini...

Hongkong Land's BaseHall becomes Hong Kong’s first F&B venue to achieve "Triple Platinum" green building certifications

Hongkong Land sets a new industry benchmark in F&B sustainability, achieving platinum certifications across BEAM Plus, LEED and WELL standards HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach N...

Iglesia Ni Cristo's Care for Humanity Provides Support to International Students and Newcomers in Nine Canadian Cities

TORONTO, CANADA - ACCESS Newswire - September 16, 2025 - The Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation, the charitable arm of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church of Christ, expanded its global outreach ...

DL Holdings x Bitmain/Antalpha Miner: Hong Kong's First Bitcoin Hashrate Stock

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 September 2025 - After trading hours on 15 September 2025, DL Holdings Group Limited (HKEX: 1709) announced a major strategic cooperation with Fortune ...

Green SM expands all-electric taxi service to Bekasi, supporting the city’s smart mobility vision

BEKASI, INDONESIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 September 2025 - Green SM, the pioneering all-electric taxi service under GSM, has officially launched in Bekasi. From today, residents and visitor...

Why it’s time telcos rethink location and put customer experience first

Maurice Zicman, Vice President - CX Strategy at TP in Australia unpacks why the telco industry must rethink old assumptions and focus on digital-f...

Manny Shah: Is your business disappearing from Google? You’re not alone

Small business owners across Australia are panicking as their websites vanish from Google’s front pages overnight. According to Manny Shah, cofounde...

MR Roads named Queensland Finalist in the 2025 Telstra Best of Business Awards

MR Roads, co-founded by Daniel Mikus and James Rolph, has been announced as a Queensland finalist in the prestigious 2025 Telstra Best of Business...

AWS research shows strong AI adoption momentum in Australia, with startups outpacing large enterprises in innovation

Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com company, released new research revealing that while artificial intelligence (AI) adoption continues to acce...

Changing the World One Bite At a Time: IKU Turns 40

One of Australia’s first plant-based, chef-led eateries and now ready meal provider IKU is celebrating its 40 year anniversary with the business e...

Three generations marking 45 years in hot-air balloons

Australia’s leading hot-air balloon company is celebrating 45 years in the sky and its 700,000th passenger, driven by the passion of father-son du...

Sell by LayBy