In 2021, the food industry in China generated a total profit of about 618.7 billion yuan, decreasing from around 621 billion yuan in the previous year. The food manufacturing industry contributed approximately 165.4 billion yuan to the total profits.

The Report Covers Food Industry in China and It is Segmented by Type (Full-Service Restaurants, Quick-Service Restaurants, Fast Food, Cafe and Bars, and 100% Home Delivery Restaurants); by Structure (Independent Consumer Foodservice and Chained Consumer Foodservice). The Market Size and Forecasts for Foodservice in Value (USD Million) for all the Above Segments.

The statistic shows the main-business operating revenue of China's food industry from 2013 to 2019. In 2019, the food industry in China generated an operating revenue about 8.12 trillion yuan.

China Food: Value Added of Industry data was reported at 186,156.000 RMB mn in 2007. This records an increase from the previous number of 146,725.000 RMB mn for 2006. China Food: Value Added of Industry data is updated yearly, averaging 38,418.000 RMB mn from Dec 1993 (Median) to 2007, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 186,156.000 RMB mn in 2007 and a record low of 18,737.000 RMB mn in 1993. China Food: Value Added of Industry data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.BHB: Food.

China Number of Employee: Food Manufacturing data was reported at 1,635.000 Person th in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,630.000 Person th for Feb 2025. China Number of Employee: Food Manufacturing data is updated monthly, averaging 1,601.500 Person th from Dec 1998 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 246 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,120.500 Person th in Dec 2015 and a record low of 865.000 Person th in Feb 2002. China Number of Employee: Food Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table CN.GB: No of Employee: by Industry: Monthly.

China GIO: Agricultural & Sideline Food Processing data was reported at 4,412,609.971 RMB mn in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,492,807.000 RMB mn for 2010. China GIO: Agricultural & Sideline Food Processing data is updated yearly, averaging 1,749,608.000 RMB mn from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2011, with 9 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,412,609.971 RMB mn in 2011 and a record low of 615,232.000 RMB mn in 2003. China GIO: Agricultural & Sideline Food Processing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BD: Gross Industrial Output: By Industry.

The China Food Additives Market Report is Segmented by Product Type (Preservatives, Bulk Sweeteners, Sugar Substitutes, Enzymes and More), Form (Dry, Liquid), Source (Natural, Synthetic), and Application (Bakery and Confectionery, Dairy and Desserts, Beverages, Meat and Meat Products and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

The report covers China Natural food Color Market and is segmented by Type (Natural Color and Synthetic Color), by Application (Beverages, Dairy & Frozen products, Bakery, Meat and Seafood, Confectionery, and Others).

In recent years, lifestyle changes and reduced leisure time have contributed to a consumer shift from traditional full-service restaurants toward fast-food establishments. In addition, increased Western influences in China have boosted demand for fast food. Due to the rapid development of fast-food service providers, improvements in chain store and franchising management, and new brands and food styles, industry growth has been strong over the past decade.ACMR-IBISWorld estimates that the Fast-Food Restaurants industry in China will generate $176.3 billion in 2023. Revenue is expected to increase by 7.2% in 2023 as the industry recovers from the COVID-19 outbreak. Industry revenue is expected to grow at an annualized 1.0% over the five years through 2023.There are about 2.5 million fast food restaurant locations (i.e., establishments) operating in the industry in 2023, including franchise and chain operators of all sizes and independent Chinese-style fast-food facilities throughout the country. Most industry enterprises are small, independent facilities that offer traditional Chinese-style fast food. Fast-food restaurants employ about 11.4 million people who collectively receive an estimated $32.9 billion in wages.ACMR-IBISWorld forecasts that industry revenue will increase at an annualized 6.1% over the five years through 2028, to reach $237.5 billion. Competition is forecast to intensify, especially in regions with well-developed fast-food markets. Increased competition will encourage players to look for new opportunities in less-developed regions. Chain operations will continue spreading from east to west, and from tier one and two to tier three and four cities. Industry concentration is anticipated to increase only slightly over the next five years. In addition, more industry enterprises are likely to enter China's Top 100 catering enterprises list over the period.

In 2024, the annual revenue of the food and drink service industry in China amounted to around *** trillion yuan. This indicated an increase in revenue of approximately **** percent compared to the previous year.

In 2022, the total retail sales of the food service market in China amounted to approximately *** billion U.S. dollars. The largest proportion of it, around ** percent, was covered by the full-service restaurants with the retail sales value of ***** billion U.S. dollars that year.

CN: Food: Total Asset: Current: Inventory: Finished Product data was reported at 74,730.000 RMB mn in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 71,205.000 RMB mn for 2017. CN: Food: Total Asset: Current: Inventory: Finished Product data is updated yearly, averaging 39,426.500 RMB mn from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2018, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74,730.000 RMB mn in 2018 and a record low of 10,902.491 RMB mn in 2001. CN: Food: Total Asset: Current: Inventory: Finished Product data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHB: Food.

The report covers China Food Flavor Enhancer Market and is Segmented by Type into Natural Flavor, Synthetic Flavor, and Nature Identical Flavor and by Application into Bakery, Beverages, Confectionery, Dairy, Snacks, and Other Applications.

CN: Food: YoY: Total Tax: ytd data was reported at 10.000 % in Dec 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.000 % for Nov 2015. CN: Food: YoY: Total Tax: ytd data is updated monthly, averaging 18.773 % from Jan 2006 (Median) to Dec 2015, with 91 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 45.376 % in Feb 2012 and a record low of 6.492 % in Feb 2014. CN: Food: YoY: Total Tax: ytd data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHB: Food.

The China food flavors and enhancers market presents a significant growth opportunity, projected to reach a substantial size over the forecast period (2025-2033). Driven by rising consumer demand for convenient and flavorful food products, coupled with increasing disposable incomes and changing dietary preferences, the market exhibits a steady Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.00%. This growth is fueled by the burgeoning food processing industry and the expanding popularity of processed foods, particularly within the bakery, confectionery, beverage, and snack segments. Natural flavors are expected to maintain a significant market share, driven by consumer preference for healthier and more natural food options. However, synthetic and nature-identical flavorings also hold substantial market potential due to their cost-effectiveness and versatility in various applications. While the market faces challenges such as fluctuating raw material prices and stringent regulatory standards, ongoing innovation in flavor technology and the development of novel flavor profiles are expected to mitigate these restraints. The presence of established international players like Givaudan, Firmenich, and Symrise, alongside domestic companies, contributes to the market's competitiveness and dynamism. Competitive strategies focusing on product diversification, strategic partnerships, and research and development are crucial for success in this rapidly evolving landscape. The dominance of specific application segments will likely shift based on consumer trends and economic factors. For instance, the increasing popularity of health-conscious snacks and functional beverages could drive higher demand for flavors tailored to these segments. Geographic variations within China also influence market dynamics, with urban areas potentially showing faster growth compared to rural areas. The continuous evolution of consumer preferences necessitates a close monitoring of emerging trends, including the increasing demand for clean-label products and customized flavor solutions. Companies focusing on sustainability and ethical sourcing are poised to gain a competitive edge. Overall, the China food flavors and enhancers market is expected to demonstrate robust growth, offering significant opportunities for both established players and emerging businesses that can effectively adapt to the dynamic market landscape and cater to the evolving needs of Chinese consumers. Notable trends are: Natural Flavors Has an Increased Demand in the Market.

Full-Service Restaurants: Offer a wide range of cuisines and dining experiences, including fine dining, casual dining, and family-style restaurants. Quick Service Restaurants: Focus on speed, convenience, and affordability, offering a limited menu of typically Western-style dishes. Cafes and Bars: Serve coffee, beverages, and light meals, often featuring comfortable seating and a casual atmosphere. Cloud Kitchen: Offer delivery-only meal options, operating without a physical dine-in space. Recent developments include: In September 2022, McDonald's China opened a drive-through restaurant McDonald's Shougang Park in Beijing spanning nearly 650 sqm. As per the company's claim, it is the first leed-certified zero-carbon restaurant in the country that is designed and constructed per the Leed net-zero carbon and net-zero energy certification standards., In December 2021, Restaurants Brands International, Inc. announced a regional partnership with Ant Group to accelerate the digital transformation of its restaurant operations across Asia-Pacific., In October 2021, McDonald's announced its plan to test its first-ever plant-based burger, the McPlant, which it created with Beyond Meat Inc. in a strategic three-year partnership in China., In September 2021, Yum! Brands announced the completion of the acquisition of Dragontail Systems Limited (Dragontail), an AI-based innovative provider of technology solutions for the food industry, in accordance with Australian corporate law.. Key drivers for this market are: Augmented Demand for Vegan Food in Restaurants, Growing Preference for Out-The-Home Consumption. Potential restraints include: Increasing Demand for Ready Meals. Notable trends are: Augmented Demand for Vegan Food in Restaurants.

In 2022, the total retail sales of the food service market in China amounted to approximately 679 billion U.S. dollars. The market was dominated by the independent food service providers with around 556.3 billion U.S. dollars in retail sales that year.

China Food Preservatives Market is segmented by Type (natural and synthetic); by Application (Beverage, Dairy & frozen product, Bakery & Confectionery, Meat, Poultry & Seafood, Sauces & salad mixes, and Others.

The China food service market, valued at $560.11 million in 2025, exhibits robust growth potential, projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.40% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is fueled by several key factors. Rising disposable incomes among China's burgeoning middle class are driving increased spending on food outside the home. The increasing urbanization and young population, coupled with changing lifestyles and preferences towards convenience and diverse culinary experiences, contribute significantly to this market expansion. The rise of online food delivery platforms and the growing popularity of cloud kitchens further accelerate market expansion. While the full-service restaurant segment remains a significant contributor, the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector shows remarkable dynamism, particularly in segments like bakeries, burger chains, and ice cream parlors, catering to consumers’ demand for speed and affordability. The geographic distribution reveals diverse opportunities, with standalone outlets, leisure locations, and retail spaces all playing significant roles. Key players like Yum! Brands, McDonald's, and Starbucks are strategically positioned to capitalize on this growth, while emerging domestic players are adding unique culinary offerings to the diverse landscape. However, factors like increasing labor costs and intense competition could present challenges. Growth within specific cuisine types demonstrates varied performance. While Asian cuisine maintains a leading position, the demand for international flavors like European, Latin American, and North American cuisines is expanding, reflecting evolving consumer tastes. The success of individual segments will depend on factors like menu innovation, effective marketing, and strategic location choices. Maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene will also play a vital role in the market’s sustained growth and consumer confidence. The ongoing shift in consumer preference towards health-conscious options and sustainable practices presents a strategic opportunity for businesses to focus on healthier and more ethically sourced food choices in their menus. This trend will shape the future trajectory of the market, pushing for more innovation in menu offerings and operational practices. Recent developments include: In September 2022, McDonald's China opened a drive-through restaurant McDonald's Shougang Park in Beijing spanning nearly 650 sqm. As per the company's claim, it is the first leed-certified zero-carbon restaurant in the country that is designed and constructed per the Leed net-zero carbon and net-zero energy certification standards., In December 2021, Restaurants Brands International, Inc. announced a regional partnership with Ant Group to accelerate the digital transformation of its restaurant operations across Asia-Pacific., In October 2021, McDonald's announced its plan to test its first-ever plant-based burger, the McPlant, which it created with Beyond Meat Inc. in a strategic three-year partnership in China., In September 2021, Yum! Brands announced the completion of the acquisition of Dragontail Systems Limited (Dragontail), an AI-based innovative provider of technology solutions for the food industry, in accordance with Australian corporate law.. Key drivers for this market are: Augmented Demand for Vegan Food in Restaurants, Growing Preference for Out-The-Home Consumption. Potential restraints include: Augmented Demand for Vegan Food in Restaurants, Growing Preference for Out-The-Home Consumption. Notable trends are: Augmented Demand for Vegan Food in Restaurants.

China Food: Sales Revenue data was reported at 1,834,820.000 RMB mn in 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2,214,085.000 RMB mn for 2017. China Food: Sales Revenue data is updated yearly, averaging 413,383.556 RMB mn from Dec 1993 (Median) to 2018, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,395,538.000 RMB mn in 2016 and a record low of 60,000.000 RMB mn in 1993. China Food: Sales Revenue data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHB: Food.