How the ice cream market in China became the biggest in the world
The ice cream market in China has witnessed steady growth over the past seven years. According to Chyxx, in 2021, the country’s ice cream industry was valued at 160 billion RMB, with a growth rate of 8.84%. Such market is expected to reach 40.19 USD (275.19 RMB) by 2027. Along with the increasing demand, many […]
A bite into China’s candy and confectionery market
China has been experiencing big and rapid change for the past 20 years both economically and ideologically, and so have its tastes. As China gradually evolves into a consumer society, new products, including candy & confectionery, are appearing with increasing regularity. Rising disposable income, increased exposure to Western and international cuisines and a greater array […]
Vegan meat in China: One of the largest markets despite less than 5% of the population being vegan
Over the last decade, veganism became increasingly popular in the West, which has led to the rapid development of meat alternatives. However, imitation meat, which is sometimes seen as a healthier substitute for animal meat, is not a new concept, especially in China. With the rising health-conscious among Chinese consumers, the plant-based meat market has […]
Here’s what F&B businesses need to know about China’s 2022 food import law
On the 13th of April 2021, the General Administration of Customs of P.R. China (GACC) released two new decrees affecting the food import law. Taking effect on the 1st of January, 2022, decrees 248 and 249 are raising concerns and questions from food importers worldwide, as it is more and more difficult to pass “China’s […]
The Coffee shop market in China: Blue Bottle squeezes in with Starbucks, Luckin and Manner with its Shanghai entry
Blue Bottle, a Californian-based high-end coffee chain, has made its debut in Mainland China, opening its first store in Shanghai Jing’an International Center (上海静安国际中心). The grand opening of the Auckland coffee store has attracted heaps of crowds, with customers queuing up to 7 hours outside of the two-story historic building on Chang’an Road (长安路), just […]
China’s dairy market: How a population known for lactose intolerance became the world’s largest dairy importer
With over 90 billion USD (RMB 572 billion) in revenues and nearly 28 million tons of products consumed in 2020, China is the world’s second-largest dairy market after the US and the world’s largest one by dairy imports. China’s total dairy consumption volume kept on fluctuating in the past five years, but the growth outlook […]
Yakult in China: How the Japanese lactic acid drink became a Chinese household staple
Yakult is often mistaken for a Chinese brand, but it is actually a Japanese brand with a history dating back to 1935. After 85 years of development, it has become a world-famous manufacturer of lactic acid bacteria beverages. The brand exports its products to more than 40 countries and regions around the world. According to the official […]
“Duk Haan Yum Cha”: Chali and Chua Lam’s Dim Sum Rejuvenate the Tea Trend with Zao Cha Culture (早茶文化)
“得闲饮茶” (Duk Haan Yum Cha), a popular greeting in Cantonese-speaking areas, meaning “let us go for tea together when we have time”. This is one of the most representative expressions under Cantonese Zao Cha Culture (早茶文化). Chali, a tea brand based in the Guangdong Province, is utilizing this culture to present a joint program with […]
Market strategies for foreign sustainable food startups in China
In the 60s, Chinese people consumed on average 5kg of meat a year. After the launching of Deng Xiaoping’s reforms, those numbers grew fourfold, hitting 20kg per person. By 2015, the per-capita meat consumption reached 48kg. According to the Insight on Plant-Based Meat Industry White Paper, China’s per capita consumption of meat equals now that […]
“土” is in: How a beverage brand makes corny rural-style advertising cool again
Starting with a viral popularity of its corny theme song, MXBC (Mi Xue Bing Cheng 蜜雪冰城), a beverage brand known for its cheap drinks, became a phenomenal hit among Chinese Gen Z in 2021. MXBC infused a brainwashing jingle and catchy lyrics into their theme song, triggering a wave of parodies and short videos on […]
Harbin Beer’s secret to increasing their female consumer base: Leveraging the idol economy
At a time when China’s idol economy has an unprecedented influence on young consumers, Harbin Beer has successfully attracted the attention of the fan circle and set itself apart from other brands that use celebrities as their endorsers. Harbin Beer is one of the oldest beer-brewing companies in China. Zhang Yixing is a Chinese idol […]
The premium bakery market in China begins to trickle into lower-tier cities
China’s bakery sector has been expanding rapidly in recent years, underpinned by the country’s rising middle class, the ongoing Westernization of lifestyles and diets, and the increasing demand for convenient food. The baked goods market in China began to gain momentum in 1980 and boomed between 2000 and 2010. During this period, all kinds of foreign brands […]