BioFach: China’s middle class acquires a taste for organic

International representatives from the organic sector meet again at BioFach China in the International Exhibition Centre INTEX Shanghai from May 27 to 29, 2010. NürnbergMesse China has already successfully established the international trade fair for organic food and natural products in Shanghai, which now takes place for the fourth time. BioFach China 2009 attracted an encouraging 238 exhibitors and some 10,400 trade visitors. This year’s event also promises a variety of inspiring organic products, conference events and opportunities for networking. Besides the traditional production for export, a promising domestic market is developing in the People’s Republic of China.

A new class of open-minded, high-spending, self-assured and critical consumers is emerging. This new Chinese middle class has medium to high incomes and is prepared to accept a higher price for branded products and high-quality food. Besides family and health, issues like training and personality development are at the top of their agenda. Between 20 and 50 million people belong to this class, which is mainly found in the metropolises of Shanghai, Beijing and other large cities. It is an important target group for the retail trade and for organic products, like the international community of some 200,000 people from the West and the 65 million tourists who visit the country every year. They all have one thing in common: the desire for quality, safe food, and an extravagant and authentic taste, according to the results of a study by the Chinese company Sinodis, one of the leading importers of Western food.  
 

The official Organic Food Development Center (OFDC) estimates domestic sales of organic products at approx. 500 million US $, BioFach Globally reports. Organic certification organizations estimate that production will increase by 30 to 50 % in the coming years and that exports of organic products could rise to a volume of 5 % of total food exports by 2020. The experiences of business people show that China offers a variety of opportunities, but establishing trade relationships needs time, continuity and the mutual trust of the partners.  

BioFach China