In the healthy snacks market in China, are snacks replacing real meals?
As Chinese consumers pay more attention to health, snacks are becoming healthier – having cleaner labels, low sugar content, and added nutritional or functional benefits. While traditional categories like salty snacks and candies are still dominant in the snacks market in China, the health-focused segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category. According to a 2022 […]
Foreign flavor, local twist: How the chocolate market in China is evolving
When chocolate was introduced to the Chinese market in the 1980s, companies lacked three things: a temperature-controlled supply chain, retail stores equipped with air-conditioning, and most importantly, Chinese consumers’ trust. Chocolate was a foreign oddity, and as much as an exotic product had piqued consumers’ interest, its high price and low availability did not encourage consumption. […]
How the cheese market in China is developing despite widespread lactose-intolerance
According to the 2021 China Dairy Index, most adults in China — roughly one billion people — are lactose intolerant. This high prevalence is largely due to the genetic factors common among Asian populations. However, this doesn’t mean Chinese people don’t consume dairy products at all. In fact, they do but just in smaller amounts […]
Beyond Baijiu: Young consumers, e-commerce, and premium experiences redefining Chinese alcoholic beverage market
The Chinese alcohol market continues to lead globally, reaffirming its position as the world’s largest by market value. According to the latest report from the Chinese Alcoholic Beverage Industry Association (中国酒业协会), China’s brewing industry achieved sales revenue of RMB 1.08 trillion (approximately USD 148 billion) in 2024, reflecting a robust 9.3% year-on-year growth. Concurrently, total […]
When nostalgia meets rebellion: The new face of Hello Kitty in China
In April 2025, Beast 野兽派, a leading Chinese lifestyle brand known for its premium floral products and artistic collaborations, launched a high-impact Hello Kitty pop-up campaign on Shanghai’s West Bund. Tapping into the strong cultural resonance of Hello Kitty in China, the activation aligned with the ongoing Shanghai Flower Show. It quickly gained traction on social media, generating […]
Energy drinks market in China: Red Bull leads whilst local brands are catching up
According to China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision and Standardization Administration, energy drinks are classified as “drinks with other special functions” as they contain caffeine, taurine, and sugar, together with other ingredients such as guarana, yerba mate, and B vitamins. Energy drinks that contain taurine are not traditional Chinese drinks, but they are gaining popularity […]
From milk tea to chili sauce: Can Sexy Tea (茶颜悦色) catch up with CHAGEE (霸王茶姬)?
Founded in 2013 in Changsha, Hunan, Sexy Tea (茶颜悦色) built its brand around “New Chinese-style Fresh Tea”(新中式鲜茶) focusing primarily on light milk tea (轻乳茶). Thanks to its distinctive flavor and exclusive local business model, it quickly gained popularity. However, while its reputation soared, Sexy Tea remained cautious about expansion and only ventured beyond Changsha […]
Exploring the sauce and condiment market in China: How Chinese consumers view Western sauces and their evolving preferences
The sauce and condiment market in China has been steadily growing over the past few years, from RMB 301.6 billion in 2016 to RMB 592.3 billion in 2023. It is typically divided into two categories: single-flavor sauces and compound sauces. Single-flavor sauces use one ingredient, such as salt or pepper, while compound sauces blend multiple […]
China’s food & beverage industry white paper
The shifting dynamics of Chinese dietary habits reflect a complex blend of socio-economic and cultural influences. With rising prosperity and heightened health awareness, consumers are increasingly valuing quality and freshness in their food choices, driving a trend toward premiumization. This shift extends to beverages, where the burgeoning popularity of healthier options and the coffee craze […]
China’s bakery industry amid health-conscious trends and digital delights
The baked goods market in China gained momentum in 1980 and experienced significant growth between 2000 and 2010. During this period, numerous foreign brands entered the Chinese market, establishing baked goods as a popular breakfast choice for many Chinese people. In 2022, China’s baking industry surged to RMB 285.3 billion, continuing its post-pandemic recovery and […]
From leaves to lifestyles: How are young consumers influencing the tea market in China
China hailed as the birthplace of tea with a rich history spanning over 4,000 years, stands as the epicenter of the world’s largest tea market. There are 7 types of tea in China: green tea, yellow tea, white tea, oolong tea, black tea, dark tea, and floral tea. In 2022, the production in the tea […]
The snack market in China is increasingly focused on sugar-free, low-fat, and low-calorie options
Despite the perception that the COVID-19 outbreak is a distant memory, it continues to significantly impact the daily habits and preferences of individuals even today. According to the Online leisure in 2022 report, which focuses on snacking trends in the post-pandemic era, there has been a consistent and substantial rise in online snack sales in […]