Embracing Change: The Evolution of China’s Cheese Industry
Pioneering a Cheese Consumption Revolution
The Chinese cheese market, currently accounting for a mere 5% of dairy consumption, stands on the cusp of exponential growth. Compared to mature markets boasting over 10kg per capita cheese consumption, China's modest 2.2 kg to 1.8 kg figures (reminiscent of South Korea and Japan) represent a remarkable opportunity for nearly tenfold expansion.
Urban Appetites: Penetrating the Culinary Tapestry
Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen have witnessed an astounding surge in cheese penetration, escalating to 38.0% by 2021, closely shadowed by provincial capitals at 30.6%. This burgeoning interest reflects a dynamic shift in local preferences and palates.
Market Dynamics: A Gastronomic Journey
Amidst this market expansion, the culinary landscape witnesses an eruption of innovative cheese-infused categories, predominantly thriving within the thriving restaurant sector. 2020 witnessed restaurant cheese sales towering at 155,600 tons, nearly doubling retail sales at 81,600 tons. The cheese sales of 2022 surged with restaurant sales to reach 163,200 tons, while retail sales escalated to 86,100 tons.
Emerging Frontier: Nurturing a New Culture
The Chinese cheese market, still in its infancy at less than 5% of total dairy consumption, emerges as an exciting frontier laden with immense potential. This nascent sector calls for comprehensive consumer education and stands witness to the rapid symbiotic growth between businesses and consumers, within a landscape where competition remains relatively uncharted.
Origins & Localization: A Tapestry of Global Influence
The origins of cheese in the Chinese market primarily emanate from cheese-producing regions across Europe, North America, and Australia. These cheeses arrive through direct imports or strategic collaborations with local Chinese firms. Notably, there's a growing trend of foreign brands establishing local production facilities, echoing the market's inclination towards localization.
Future Vision: A Journey Beyond Financial Frontiers
Projections indicate an upward trajectory for the cheese market, projecting a value exceeding 100 billion CNY by 2035. This continued growth, despite an anticipated single-digit annual increase in 2022, is fueled by advancements in dairy product categories and an escalating demand for high-quality cheese.
Customer-Centric Innovation: A Personalized Complementary Food Products
In a landscape embracing diversity, the industry ventures into the realm of the mother & child food market, emphasizing the creation of complementary food products. Innovations like CHEESPIRIT's 'Five-Dimensional Natural Beauty Cheese' cater to evolving consumer needs, addressing more than just calcium and protein – addressing vision, mental capacity, digestive power, self-protection, and comprehensive bone strength.
Challenges & Opportunities: A Balancing Act
The industry grapples with challenges arising from limited localization and product diversity. A spotlight on certain cheese types curtails market diversity. Yet, amidst these challenges, consumer tastes and attributes shine as beacons for innovation.
Strategic Insights: The Dual Landscape
The cheese industry in China delineates into two distinct arenas – Retail (consumer) and Restaurant (business). Consumer products, mainly reconstituted cheese, demonstrate higher markup rates compared to business products, highlighting varying profit margins and diverse consumption patterns.
*Highlighted Forums for Cheese Professionals
*Highlighted Events for Cheese Exhibitors
Nicolas Trentesaux & Fernando Medina Zenoff & Henri Tan & Kean Shyang Ng & Christopher Chin, CEM & Kalu Mang & Coline Poirot & Chloe Wang & Thomas Dupin & Audrey QUENTIN & Joanna Plata & Hocine Chekkal & Chong Nin & Daniel Tian & Alban Simonte & Nita Iskandar
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