The Chinese agri-food market in 2025: A global power in transformation
Faced with rapidly changing food demand, China is opening its doors to more foreign products
China has long been an agricultural powerhouse — feeding nearly 20% of the world’s population with less than 10% of the planet’s arable land. But in 2025, the country is navigating a major shift in how it consumes and sources food. Rapid urbanisation, a rising middle class, and mounting environmental pressures are pushing the nation to open its doors wider than ever to high-quality imports. For international food and beverage brands, this represents a strategic opportunity — but one that requires agility, local insight, and the right entry point.
Demand beyond self-sufficiency
Although China remains one of the world’s leading producers of rice, pork, and vegetables, domestic supply is increasingly stretched. In 2023 alone, the country imported over USD 115 billion (approximately 99.5 billion euros) worth of agri-food products, a figure that has grown more than fivefold since 2009. While staples like soybeans and cereals dominate in volume, the real momentum is in premium categories — from dairy and fresh fruits to wines, organic snacks, and functional beverages.
This surge is driven by urban consumers, particularly in cities like Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing, who are seeking healthier, more diverse food choices. For these buyers, imported products are not a luxury — they are an expectation.
What Chinese consumers expect in 2025
By 2025, more than 550 million people in China will be classified as middle class — and their food preferences are reshaping the industry. They want traceability, clean labels, nutritional value, and a compelling product story. The average spending on premium imported food products is rising by 7.4% per year. The rise of e-commerce is also accelerating access to foreign brands, with platforms like Tmall Global, JD.com and and Pinduoduo playing a key role in connecting international producers directly with Chinese consumers. In 2023, more than 30% of imported food was purchased online — a figure that continues to climb. Meanwhile, the once informal Daigou system (resellers bringing products into China) is becoming increasingly professionalised.
The appetite for innovative food products is booming. Whether it’s vegan, allergen-free, protein-enriched, fermented, organic, or featuring smart packaging, functional innovation is a major growth driver. In 2025, China’s health-focused food segment is expected to exceed USD 50 billion (approximately 43.3 billion euros) .
A golden opportunity for international brands
The Chinese interest in imported food looks like it is here to stay and reflects a deep transformation in the Chinese food ecosystem. Driven by urbanisation, dietary diversification, the adoption of international food standards, and an ongoing nutritional transition, it represents a real historic opportunity.
For international companies looking to break into or expand within the Chinese market, SIAL Shenzhen 2025 provides them with an exceptional chance to connect directly with this evolving demand. Held from 1–3 September 2025 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center, the event will bring together more than 1,100 exhibitors from 50 countries and regions, and is expected to welcome 67,000 professionals from across China and beyond.
SIAL Shenzhen is a strategic gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, one of Asia’s most affluent and open consumer markets. The show offers a curated environment where global brands can showcase their products, engage in high-level networking, and discover the latest market trends through competitions, product demos, and six specialised Highlight Villages covering key F&B sectors.
