Exactly How Big Is the China’s Food Market?

fieramilano, Rho
17-21.10.2025

Cina

Exactly How Big Is the China’s Food Market?

With China fully reopening its doors, all are eager to get their products into this huge consumer market. So exactly how big is it?

By Peggy Li

 

 

According to Statista, in 2022, China remains the country with the largest population in the world, with more than 1.43 billion people. The size of the population in China is larger than nearly four regions combined: South America, Europe (excluding Russia), the U.S. & and Canada, and Australia & and New Zealand.

 

Of course, with this population, it is not surprising that in global comparison, most revenue in the food market is generated in China at US$1,493bn in 2023. With revenue of the Food market amounts to US$1,493.00bn in 2023. The market is expected to grow annually by 7.88% (CAGR 2023-2028).

 

In relation to total population figures, per-person revenues of US$1,023.00 are generated in 2023.  The average volume per person in the Food market is expected to amount to 233.20kg in 2023. This figure will only grow further…

 

The market's largest segment is Meat with a market volume of US$260.40bn in 2023, which includes all the meat-related products such as sausages and various. The most interesting point is what we see is the gap in the market. For example, Organic product is on the rise as consumers are more concerned about their wellness. Pet food is another consideration, as China's number of pet owners’ number is growing rapidly.

 

ONLINE VS OFFLINE

 

In the Food market, 8.4% of total revenue will be generated through online sales by 2023. In the Food market, volume is expected to amount to 453.20bn kg by 2028. The Food market is expected to show a volume growth of 7.3% in 2024. However, for foreign goods, ONLINE has the highest potential to reach its audience as well as foodie/gourmet clubs. With the advance of Chinese social media such as Douyin (TikTok), live streaming. More and more food brands are following the trend of beauty. Live streaming sales in China have taken to a new level where even farmers are selling their products during the harvest to show the authentic and natural sentiment of how fresh the products are as a selling point to the consumers.

 

This also ties in with the purchase criteria, which we can see from the chat. Good taste/flavor and high quality come in second and third spot. This only means that good quality products have a great future ahead in the China Food Market. 

 

China's Market is huge and requires careful positioning of the product against the consumer preference to enter. Brands need to do its background work well to ensure successful entry.

Happy Selling!