China’s middle class acquires a taste for organic food

International representatives from the organic sector meet again at the fourth edition of BioFach China in the International Exhibition Centre Intex Shanghai from May 27 to 29, 2010.

Show organizer NürnbergMesse China says 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 such as training and personality development are at the top of their agenda.

Most of them are residing in the metropolises of Shanghai, Beijing and other large cities.

They have the common desire for quality, safe food, and an extravagant and authentic taste, according to the results of a study by the Chinese company Sinodis, an importer of Western food.

One particularly important future project in China is to make organic farming more professional and boost the credibility and image of the products, according to the result of the EU study entitled Organic Agriculture in China.

The official Organic Food Development Center (OFDC) estimates domestic sales of organic products are at about $500 million.

Organic certification organizations estimate that production will increase by 30-50% in the coming years and exports of organic products could rise to 5% of total food exports (volume) by 2020.