Meal Delivery - China | Statista Market Forecast

The Meal Delivery market in China is expected to reach a projected revenue of US$184.50bn by 2024.
The market is anticipated to grow at an annual rate of 3.61% from 2024 to 2029, resulting in a projected market volume of US$220.20bn by 2029.
In terms of the Restaurant Deliverymarket, China is projected to have a market volume of US$166.80bn in 2024.
This indicates that China will generate the highest revenue compared to other countries.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) in the Meal Delivery market China is projected to be US$229.60 in 2024.
This metric provides insights into the amount of revenue generated per user.
Furthermore, the number of users in the Meal Delivery market China is expected to reach 906.0m users by 2029.
This indicates the potential market size and user base in the country.
Lastly, the user penetration rate in the Meal Delivery market China is projected to be at 56.1% in 2024.
This metric represents the proportion of the population that uses meal delivery services.
China's meal delivery market is experiencing explosive growth, driven by a combination of urbanization, convenience-seeking consumers, and a highly competitive landscape dominated by platforms like Ele.me and Meituan.

Definition:

Meal Delivery is the online ordering and delivery of prepared meals by a restaurant or a platform for direct consumption. Orders are typically placed in an app or on a website. The delivery is handled by the platform enterprise (e.g. Deliveroo) or directly by the restaurant (e.g. Domino’s).

Structure:

Meal Delivery contains the user and revenue development of two different delivery service solutions for prepared meals: (1) Restaurant Delivery and (2) Platform Delivery. The Restaurant Delivery market includes the delivery of meals carried out directly by the restaurants. The order may be made via platforms (e.g. Delivery Hero, Just Eat) or directly through a restaurant website (e.g. Domino's). The Platform Delivery market focuses on online delivery services that provide customers with meals from partner restaurants that do not necessarily have to offer food delivery themselves. In this case, the platform (e.g. Deliveroo) handles the delivery process.).

Additional Information:

Revenue includes the gross merchandise value (GMV), defined as the total sales dollar value for merchandise/food sold through the Online Food Delivery marketplace. User and revenue figures represent B2C services.

Meals ordered online which are directly delivered by the restaurant, no matter if ordered via a platform (e.g. Delivery Hero) or a restaurant website (e.g. Domino's)
Online meal order and delivery both carried out by a platform (e.g. Deliveroo)
Online orders that are picked up in the restaurant

Phone orders
Deliveries of non-processed or non-prepared food (e.g. HelloFresh)

Meal delivery has become an increasingly popular option for busy consumers in China who seek convenience and time-saving solutions. The market has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by a combination of changing consumer preferences and local special circumstances.

Customer preferences: Chinese consumers have a strong preference for food delivery, with the industry experiencing exponential growth in recent years. The convenience of meal delivery has become an essential part of modern life in China, particularly in urban areas where people have busy lifestyles and limited time for cooking. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the demand for meal delivery services as people are encouraged to stay at home.

Trends in the market: The meal delivery market in China is highly competitive, with a range of players competing for market share. The market is dominated by a few major players, including Meituan, Ele.me, and Baidu Waimai. These companies have invested heavily in technology and logistics to improve their delivery times and expand their coverage areas. The market has also seen the emergence of niche players, such as Freshhema, which focuses on fresh and healthy food delivery.

Local special circumstances: The Chinese market is unique in that it has a large population and a rapidly growing middle class with increasing disposable income. Additionally, the country has a unique food culture, with a diverse range of regional cuisines and a strong emphasis on food quality and safety. These factors have contributed to the growth of the meal delivery market in China, as consumers seek convenient and safe options for their meals.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The growth of the meal delivery market in China is also influenced by underlying macroeconomic factors. The country has experienced rapid urbanization in recent years, with more people moving to cities for work and education. This has led to an increase in demand for convenient and time-saving solutions, such as meal delivery. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce and mobile payments has made it easier for consumers to order food online and pay for it digitally. These factors have contributed to the growth of the meal delivery market in China and are expected to continue driving growth in the future.

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and represent what consumers pay for these products and services. The user metrics show the number of customers who have made at least one online purchase within the past 12 months.

Modeling approach / Market size:

Market sizes are determined through a bottom-up approach, building on predefined factors for each market. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use annual financial reports of the market-leading companies, third-party studies and reports, as well as survey results from our primary research (e.g., the Statista Global Consumer Survey). In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as GDP, GDP per capita, and internet connection speed. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, the S-curve function and exponential trend smoothing. The main drivers are internet users, urban population, usage of key players, and attitudes toward online services.

Additional notes:

The market is updated twice a year in case market dynamics change. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. GCS data is reweighted for representativeness.

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