{"id":10899,"date":"2022-09-15T07:30:29","date_gmt":"2022-09-15T07:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/?p=10899"},"modified":"2025-04-23T09:37:23","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T09:37:23","slug":"the-biggest-trends-in-chinas-food-and-drink-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/the-biggest-trends-in-chinas-food-and-drink-market\/","title":{"rendered":"The biggest trends in China\u2019s food and drink market"},"content":{"rendered":"

From plant-based Beyond Meat to Hey Tea and Gong Cha’s trendy bubble teas, Chinese consumers continue to look for novel and healthy experiences from food and drink products, and UK brands need to do their research before entering the market, writes Sandra Weiss<\/strong> from RedFern Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, there have been several shifts in consumer behaviour and preference in China\u2019s food and drink market. This article looks at some of these trends, providing examples and predictions for the future.<\/p>\n

It is important to realise that Chinese customers generally conduct a great degree of research into products prior to purchase. Brands need to ensure that detailed product information is readily available online and in Chinese, such as ingredients and the types of certifications that either the brand or product has received.<\/p>\n

\"launchpad<\/a><\/p>\n

The health revolution<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Although Chinese consumers have long been on a trajectory towards healthier diets, Covid-19 caused the focus on health to skyrocket. Especially among Chinese youth, healthier food and beverage offerings are becoming a core driver, with many looking for keywords like \u201clow fat\u201d and \u201clow sugar\u201d, and \u201c0 fat\u201d, \u201c0 sugar\u201d or \u201c0 calories\u201d in relation to their drinks. Many consumers are now showing an increased willingness to pay premium prices for products that are considered healthy.<\/p>\n

The push for healthy products is not just among snacks and beverages, but also for instant or ready-to-eat meals or meal replacement products. More than ever, Chinese consumers are looking at food and ingredient labels prior to purchase and conducting research on each of the ingredients.<\/p>\n

\"\"

“0% sugar” is clearly displayed on the packaging of yogurt from the brand Simple Love. Source: \u7b80\u7231\u9178\u5976Simplove on Weibo<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>The \u2018she\u2019 economy<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Over the past several years, China has seen the emergence of the \u2018she\u2019 economy. With a higher level of education and income, the more than 400 million Chinese women that are aged between 20-60 years old are increasing their consumption power within the food and beverage market.<\/p>\n

Previously, women were often in charge of purchases for the entire family, but now they are becoming more willing to make purchases for themselves. Therefore many brands have begun developing products aimed at perceived female interests, including meal replacement products, zero fat and zero sugar beverages, as well as protein bars and milkshakes among many other offerings.<\/p>\n