• Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co Ltd leads the organic segment in China with a value share of 27.0% in 2023, followed by Wilmar International Ltd with a value share of 14.9% and Feihe International Inc with a share of 6.4%. 
• China ranks 2nd globally in terms of market size, with a value of US$6,682.2 mn in 2023, only trailing the US and being the largest consumer market in the Asia Pacific region.

• Organic products in China represent 10.8% of global demand and 49.7% of the market in the Asia Pacific region, recording a per capita expenditure of US$4.6 in 2023. 
• The Chinese market for organic products is projected to increase with a value CAGR of 2.3% for the forecast period 2023-2028 in 2023 constant prices with fixed USD exchange rates, reaching a value of US$7,500.0 mn by 2028.

• The Organic Packaged Food and Beverages category in China registered a value decrease of 33.1% in 2023 in current prices to record a market size of US$6,684.2 million. 
• During the historic period of 2019-2023, the Organic Packaged Food category registered a negative CAGR of 1.9% in current prices. The category is expected to improve for the forecast period from 2023 to 2028, as growth is expected to reach a projected CAGR of 2.4% in constant prices.
• Organic Beverages also experienced a decline in value, decreasing historically at a negative 28.6% current CAGR. A continued decline is expected at a slower pace of negative 1.0% constant CAGR over the forecast period.
• Within Organic Packaged Food the only category that registered growth was Organic Dairy Products and Alternatives with an 18.0% current CAGR during the historic period. The category is expected to grow at a constant CAGR of 2.2% over the forecast period.
• Within Organic Beverages, Organic Soft Drinks was the only category registering growth during the historic period at a current 2.5% CAGR. For the forecast period, both Organic Soft Drinks and Organic Hot Drinks are expected to decline, with negative projected constant CAGRs of 3.8% and 0.6%, respectively.

• Choosing foods and drinks which have a positive impact on health has become increasingly important to Chinese consumers, as these products provide a convenient way for individuals to incorporate beneficial ingredients into their daily routine and improve their overall health. According to Euromonitor International's most recent Voice of the Consumer survey from January-February 2024, 42% of consumers in China look for products that contain healthy ingredients in their food and beverages, with 37% also claiming that they closely read the nutritional labels of food and beverages.
• In the eyes of Chinese consumers, the term organic is synonymous with cleanliness and purity, with organic products often seen as being less harmful to health and more natural than standard products, which is driving their popularity. Products with this claim are priced higher than standard products, but many consumers are willing to pay to receive the perceived higher quality, which is also indicative of a broader shift toward premiumization within food and beverage consumption.

• Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co Ltd is leading the Organic Packaged Food category with a market share of 27.3% in 2023, growing 12.7 p.p. from the previous year. The company is the fourth largest dairy player in the world and has currently established a series of sustainability goals under its “WISH” system, including four carbon-neutral products across different categories. These include Satine organic A2β-casein milk, Satine organic Jersey milk, Changqing Protein yogurt, and Pro-Kido organic milk formula.
• Hipp GmbH & Co Vertrieb KG continued to lead Organic Beverages in 2023 with a 29.4% market share, growing 18.3 p.p. from the previous year. Its portfolio includes a range of organic drinks tailored for babies, children, and pregnant women, formulated with essential vitamins and minerals to support healthy development.

• Due to various food safety issues in recent years, there is increasing awareness among Chinese consumers concerning matters of health and food safety, with artificial and processed foods and drinks generally seen as more harmful to health than less processed products. Due to this, Chinese consumers will look for clean label products with short ingredient lists, containing natural ingredients, instead of chemical ingredients. This is expected to help drive an increase in sales of products with natural claims in China in the future, as consumers try to adopt healthier lifestyles and prevent long-term illness.
• Across the forecast period, sales of Organic Dairy Products and Alternatives are set to grow, with retail sales projected to rise at a 2.2% constant value CAGR to reach US$4,434 million in 2028, the largest category within Organic Health and Wellness. Consumers are increasingly aware of the link between diet and a strong metabolism, which is leading them to add more products that offer something extra to benefit their health, such as high fiber, protein, or omega-3s. Across the forecast period, Organic Dairy will be the leading product in the Organic Dairy Products and Alternatives landscape, reaching sales of US$2,456.2 million, supported by a forecast constant CAGR of 11.2%.

• Products with dietary and free from claims are popular in China, such as vegan and plant-based alternatives, products for specific diets, and foods that can be consumed by those with intolerances, as an increasing number of consumers want to look after their health and wellbeing. As such, vegan and plant-based, which are dietary and free from types of health and wellness attributes, maintained growth in most health and wellness categories, notably in Dairy Products and Alternatives. However, products with vegan and plant-based claims are not only popular due to health concerns, with more people showing increasing concern over animal welfare and the environment and therefore turning to foods with such claims.
• China's National Health Commission and SAMR announced new food labeling rules in March 2025, aiming to take effect from March 2027. The regulations aim to combat misleading claims by banning vague terms such as "zero" or "additive-free" unless scientifically justified, as well as labels now having to display expiry dates in the YYYY-MM-DD format, include QR codes for digital traceability, and highlight eight major allergens. Nutritional information must cover saturated fat and sugars, with clearer fonts and contrast to ensure better readability, ultimately improving consumer transparency.

Economy: 

• China's economy is projected to grow in 2025, with real GDP growth expected to reach 4.0%, a decline from 5.0% in 2024. China's producer deflation deepened to its worst level in almost two years, as uncertainties from a tariff war with the United States and weak consumption have upset consumer sentiment and fueled expectations of more policy stimulus to combat deflationary pressures.
• Real GDP growth is anticipated to remain constant, reaching 4.1% in 2026 and averaging around 4.0% annually through 2028.
• Inflation closed 2024 at 0.2% and is expected to accelerate slightly to 0.3% in 2025.

Population demographics: 

• China's population reached 1,409.7 million in 2024 and is projected to decline by 0.2% to 1,407.5 million in 2025. China is the sixth oldest country in Asia Pacific by median age, with the percentage of the population aged 65+ increasing from 13.0% in 2020 to 15.0% in 2024. 
• The median age in China was recorded at 40.6 years in 2024, an increase of 1.9 years from 2020.

Income & expenditure: 

• The savings ratio in China reached 38.6% of disposable income in 2024, which is the highest ratio worldwide, driven by a mixture of job market uncertainty, fewer attractive investment options, and long-term anxieties around retirement and healthcare.
• Consumer expenditure per capita grew by 4.5% in 2024 in current USD terms. In constant USD, it is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 4.6% through 2028. This growth is likely driven by increased spending on health goods and medical services, although housing is projected to remain the largest consumer spending category.
• Disposable income per capita was US$8,297 in 2024. It is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 4.5% through 2028, outpacing the Asia Pacific average.

¹ Health and Wellness Definition: Health and wellness is the aggregation of organic packaged food and beverages, fortified/functional packaged food and beverages, naturally healthy packaged food and beverages, better for you packaged food and beverages and food intolerance products.

The above definition and more can be referenced from the definitions table at the end of the report.

² Economic and Demographic Data has been updated to reflect final 2024 estimates, therefore using 2024 as the base year for exchange rates and prices. 

³ Historic current prices and forecast constant 2024 prices.

Top 5 Cities By Population

Top 5 Grocery Retailers By Sales

Top 5 Export Commodities To China

Note : Total organics is the sum of all exports in a particular year  

Authorized Government Agency(s):

Standardization Administration of China (SAC) and the General Administration on Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

Agency(s) Contact Information:

Standardization Administration of China
State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR)
No. 9, Madian East Road
Haidian District
Beijing100088
People's Republic of China
Telephone: +86 10 8226 1056
Email: sac_info@sac.gov.cn
Web

Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (CNCA)
No. 9, Madian East Road
Haidian District
Beijing100088
People's Republic of China
Telephone: +86 10 8226 0777
Fax: +86 10 8226 -799
Email: infocnca@cnca.gov.cn
Web

Name(s) of Regulation and/or Standard:

In 2019, China published a revised national standard for organic products and released revised organic certification regulations.  The new standard and regulations took effect on January 1, 2020.  The new standard GB/T 19630-2019 incorporates and replaces the organic standards published in 2011.  The standard and certification regulations are voluntary but for a product to be marketed in China as organic, compliance with this standard and regulations is mandatory. National Standards for Organic Products, GB/T 19630-2005 were updated in 2011 to National Standards for Organic Products, GB/T19630-2011.

An official or unofficial translation is not yet available.

See USDA's GAIN Report: China Publishes New Organic Standard and Certification Rules 

Date of Implementation: 2005

Regulation and/or Standard Scope:

The Chinese standard covers the general specifications and requirements for organic production, processing, transport, storage and packaging of crops, edible fungi, wild plants, livestock and poultry, aquatic products, textiles, and apiary.

China began new organic national standards for organic products and new regulations for certification and use of a revised eligible products list on January 1, 2020. Products marketed in China as organic must comply with this standard and accompanying regulations.
 
The new organic standard includes changes to production and processing inputs, such as adding microbial preparations for control and prevention of animal diseases, adding detergents and disinfectants in plant production, adding requirements for packaging materials for feed products, adjusting lists of food additives, processing aids, and feed additives eligible for organic production and/or processing. The standard also changed the requirements for the labeling of organic conversion products. 

The new organic certification rules appear to have streamlined some certification practices. For example, an overseas organic production site which has been certified organic certification for at least four years can be waived from a 12-month organic conversion period before being certified to the Chinese organic standard. And if an organic product is produced or processed overseas, the product sample can be tested by a local testing agency. Site inspection requirements have also been simplified.

China does not allow equivalence agreements with other countries. US producers, even though they are USDA certified, will not be allowed to use the Chinese term for organic unless they receive Chinese certification. See the reports in Additional Information below for more detailed information about meeting China's requirements for imported products.

China and New Zealand have an arrangement on mutual recognition of organic product certification and equivalence of their organic products systems. 

Certification:

United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service UNOFFICIAL translation of certification rules .pdf (2012) Another revision of the organic product certification system is in process.

There are local and foreign certifiers available.
Two major Chinese certifying organizations: China Organic Food Certification Center (COFCC) and Organic Food Development Center (OFDC).

There are numerous third-party certification services located in China that certify to the China Organic Standards including the following public control authorities:
Fangyuan Organic Food Certification Center (FOFCC) 
China Quality Mark Certification Group (CQM) 
As of June 2022, there are 104 authorized certification bodies qualified to process applications domestically.

Joint-venture or foreign certification bodies are:  
Agricert https://agricert.pt/en/certificacao/organic_china
EcoCert https://www.ecocert.com/en/certification-detail/organic-farming-china-gb-t19630-2019
Australia Certification Ltd. https://www.aco.net.au/Pages/Operators/ChinaStandards.aspx
NASAA Organic https://ncocertifiedorganic.com.au/organic-export-requirements/organic-certification-for-china/
SRS https://srs-certification.com/certserv/org-2/

Accreditation Method:

Government

Accreditation:

State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) (beginning Novermber 2022)
Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA)
CNCA Organic Product Certification Catalogue - 2019 (this is not a government web page but a retails source for the catalogue.)

China does not allow foreign assessment bodies, such as USDA, to accredit certifiers.

Reference Standards:

USDA's GAIN Report China Publishes New Organic Standard and Certification Rules (2019)
The China Organic Standard GB/T 19630: https://srs-certification.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/OGA-Ti7-China-Organic-Standard-GBT19630-2019-12-12.pdf

Additional Information:

Food importers must register every four years. See GAIN Reports below for more information.

UK's Council on Geostrategy Negotiating with Chinese – some practical considerations 

U.S. International Trade Administration

USDA's GAIN Report Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate Report (2024)
USDA's GAIN Report Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report (2024)
USDA's GAIN Report Update - US Pet Food is Poised to Expand in the China Market (2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Pet Food Market Update (2024)
USDA's GAIN Report GACC Updates Decree 248 Product List (Feb. 2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 Additions to List of Items Subject to Decreeto Decree 248 (Feb. 2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 Clearing Detained Shipments Unofficial Guidance (March 2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 March 4 Additions to Single Window List (March 2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 Facility and Product Registration Expectations (Sept. 2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 Product List Update (Oct. 2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Organic Product Certification Administrative Measures Amended (Dec. 2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Verifying Decree 248 Facility Registration Information (2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Introduction to Facility Registration Under Decree 248 (July 2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Update to Imported Dairy Product Inspection and Quarantine Requirements (2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Administrative Measures on Import and Export Food Safety - Decree 249 (2021)
USDA's GAIN Report Overseas Facilities Registration Regulation - Decree 248 (2021)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 - FDA Constituent Update (2021)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 Single Window User Manual and Training (Dec. 2021)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 Information Update (Dec. 2021)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 HS Codes Published in GACC Single Window (Dec.2021)
USDA's GAIN Report GACC Issues Interpretation of Decree 248 (Nov. 2021)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 Unofficial Self-Registration Guide for Overseas Food Facilities (Nov. 2021)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 Foreign Facilities Self-Registration Website Launched (Nov. 2021)
USDA's GAIN Report Decree 248 Product List Update (Nov. 2024)
USDA's GAIN Report China Releases Draft General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods for Domestic Comments (2020)
USDA's GAIN Report China Implements Food Safety Law Implementing Regulations (2019) Includes unofficial translation.
USDA's GAIN Report Ag Food Quality and Safety Law (2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Smart Consumers and ‘New Retail’ drive China’s Food Retail Sector (2019)
USDA's GAIN Report China Retail Foods Change and Opportunity (2018)
USDA's GAIN Report China Passes E-Commerce Law (2018)
USDA's GAIN Report Exporter Guide to China (2024)
USDA's GAIN Report Consumer Study on China's Imported Food Products (2018)
USDA's GAIN Report Retail Foods Report (2024)
USDA's GAIN Report Snack Food Market Overview (2023)
USDA's GAIN Report Food Processing Ingredients (2022)
USDA's GAIN Report Food Service Hotel-Restaurant Institutional (2023)
USDA's GAIN Report China Retail Foods Change and Opportunity (2018)
USDA's GAIN Report Macau Food Retail Industry (2018)
USDA's GAIN Report The Notice on the Technical Review of Relevant Standards for Imported Foods Without Applicable National Food Safety Standards (2020)
USDA's GAIN Report Updated Catalogue of National Food Safety Standards Released (2022)

Hong Kong does not have a law regulating organic food products.  U.S. organic products can be sold in Hong Kong with the USDA organic logo. See the Global Organic Trade Guide's page for Hong Kong for more information about this Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.