Ginseng Tang Food Exports . . .
The Chinese food market is now the 4th largest in the world. Total food and beverage sales almost doubled between 2004 and 2008 reaching 84.2 billion in 2008. Exports of EU pre-packaged food and beverages to China doubled between 2005 and 2010 with 2009 and 2010 seeing a particular rise in exports. Despite a fragmented distribution infrastructure and growing local competition opportunities for European companies to sell their products in China are likely to grow driven by increasing disposable income, urbanisation and a growing taste for foreign foodstuffs. Recent food safety scandals, including the melamine milk scare and reports of the manufacture of fake wine has to some extent undermined trust in Chinese production processes. Those who can afford to will continue to show preference for imported brands, in particular those for children. This compliments the small but growing market in imported organic foods as there is little trust in locally certified organic products.
