Discovery the World’s 3rd Organic Market: China

The white paper was initiated jointly by NürnbergMesse China Co., Ltd., Organic Food Development and Certification Center of China (OFDC) and LeadLeo. It analyzes in-depth China's organic food consumer demographics and makes targeted recommendations. It focuses on a number of key populations with the highest potential in the organic product consumption, and examines each group's unique consumption behavior patterns and differentiated demand characteristics.

We have selected excerpts from the “white paper” in this article, to serve as a reference for readers. For more insights on the Chinese market, please visit BIOFACH CHINA’s website or feel free to contact the project team.

Drivers behind Chinese consumers’ purchase of organic products

New insights from China’s organic food market reveal what truly drives consumer preference. According to the white paper, here’s what stands out:

• 67.3% of consumers believe organic food tastes better
• 60.3% perceive it as more nutritious
• 51.1% emphasize the absence of pesticide residues
• 45.5% value eco-friendly production methods
   

It’s clear that taste and health benefits lead the way, but environmental consciousness is also a significant motivator.

Top three domestically organic product categories by sales in China

Did you know which organic product category has the highest sales in China’s organic food market?

Our latest analysis of the organic crops sector reveals a clear leader: Organic Vegetables. They dominate the market, claiming a staggering 46.92% of total sales in 2024, significantly outpacing organic fruits (29.95%) and grains (23.14%).

This isn't just a sales figure. Consumer behavior studies confirm that organic veggies are the #1 organic priority for shoppers, driven by higher purchase frequency and growing health awareness.

China’s Organic Dairy Lead: Sterilized Milk Dominates Processing Sector 
In China’s organic livestock and aquatic processing industry, sterilized milk stands out as the dominant product. Among the top 10 organic processed goods by output in 2023, sterilized milk alone accounted for 25% of total production, reaching 1.2532 million tons. Other leading items included single-ingredient feed, grain products, rice, and plant-based oil byproducts.

Despite the broad range of organic crop-based products, organic animal-derived processed goods remain relatively limited. Sterilized milk is not only a major category but also reflects significant technological evolution—shifting from manual operations toward automation, with full adoption of Industry 4.0model expected in the near future.

In a summary, this white paper concentrates on domestic consumption in China; the data referenced in its first edition are therefore drawn from products sold within the country. More detailed information on imported organic products—based on the latest available figures—will be released in September 2026 by the government. If you are interested in China Organic Market, feel free to connect BIOFACH CHINA team for further information.