Yihan Ma
Research expert covering e-commerce and FMCG in Greater China
Eating behavior in China - statistics & facts
Dietary habits in China have undergone profound changes in the past decade. Since the Economic Reform, the average disposable income has picked up rapidly, which led to a surge in food spending in both urban and rural households. Over the past four decades, China has drastically reduced its proportion of undernourished people, from 30 percent in 1979 to less than 2.5 percent. Today, meat and fish, once considered symbols of wealth, are part of the daily diet of ordinary people. Additionally, similar to its western counterparts, China's emerging middle class has become increasingly conscious of the importance of a healthy diet.
Despite these changes, traditional Chinese cuisine remain the essential element of Chinese food culture, particularly in social gatherings, festivals, and family rituals. Owing to its vast geographical expanse, China has spawned distinct cuisines and cooking techniques in different regions. However, the core of Chinese cuisine has remained harmonious in texture, flavor, and color.
Although undernourishment is no longer a threat to the public in China, a fully healthy diet is still a long way off. A major eating problem affecting the public is excessive consumption of sugar and salt. As of 2023, China's per capita salt intake exceeded 17.7 grams per day, more than three times the amount recommended by the WHO. A primary reason for the excessive salt intake was the dietary tradition of eating sauce, preserved vegetables, and cured meats. Furthermore, sodium intake was also influenced by the increasing consumption of restaurant and packaged foods.
Despite these changes, traditional Chinese cuisine remain the essential element of Chinese food culture, particularly in social gatherings, festivals, and family rituals. Owing to its vast geographical expanse, China has spawned distinct cuisines and cooking techniques in different regions. However, the core of Chinese cuisine has remained harmonious in texture, flavor, and color.
What Chinese eat and drink
The rapid economic development of China and its well-developed transportation infrastructure have allowed Chinese to purchase food of all types from all over the country. As of 2021, nearly nine out of ten Chinese could afford a healthy meal. On Chinese dining tables, grain still dominates, but meat, vegetables, and fruits are gaining popularity. Between 2021 and 2026, China's protein intake is expected to grow by over 10 percent, significantly higher than any other region of the world.Although undernourishment is no longer a threat to the public in China, a fully healthy diet is still a long way off. A major eating problem affecting the public is excessive consumption of sugar and salt. As of 2023, China's per capita salt intake exceeded 17.7 grams per day, more than three times the amount recommended by the WHO. A primary reason for the excessive salt intake was the dietary tradition of eating sauce, preserved vegetables, and cured meats. Furthermore, sodium intake was also influenced by the increasing consumption of restaurant and packaged foods.
Towards a healthier eating environment
Facing those challenges, China has implemented various campaigns and promotions to raise public’s awareness of healthy eating, including establishing a national nutrition plan. Traditional concepts like Yin and Yang, "food and medicine are synonymous" are still widely believed by the majority of Chinese, but many Chinese are embracing modern dietary knowledge such as organic and sugar-free diets. In 2022, over 55,000 organic products were available to Chinese consumers, tripling from a decade ago. It is estimated that the naturally healthy food market in China will grow by 10 billion U.S. dollars between 2016 and 2021, outpacing the rest of the world by a wide margin.
