• The organic segment in Hong Kong is led by Hipp GmbH & Co. with a value share of 12.7% in 2021, followed by Nestle’ SA with a share of 8.3% and Abbott Laboratories Inc with a share of 7.7%. 
• With a forecast value CAGR of 9.0% for the period 2021-2026, Hong Kong ranks 7th in terms of expected growth. The market also ranks in the top 20 globally in terms of per capita spend (US$12.23 in 2021). 

• Organic products in Hong Kong represent 0.15% of global demand and approximately 1.4% of the market in the Asia Pacific region, recording a per capita expenditure of US$12.23 in 2021. 
• With demand for organic products expected to grow in emerging categories and an increasingly health-conscious population, the market for organic products is expected to grow with a value CAGR of 9.0% for the forecast period 2021-2026, reaching a value of US$137.0 million by 2025.

• Organic packaged food and beverages in Hong Kong recorded a value growth of 1.6% in 2021 to reach US$92.3 million.
• Growth in organic packaged food was led by organic dairy, with a robust value growth of 15.7% in 2021 on the back of strength in organic yoghurt. 
• Sales of organic beverages stagnated in 2021, remaining at US$5.8 million.

• Covid-19 has further strengthened the ongoing health and wellness sentiment among local consumers in Hong Kong. Consumers are paying greater attention to their nutritional intake and particularly avoiding the intake of refined or additional sugar. Therefore, the health and wellness segment has become an important area of focus for major players to develop new products. 
• 2021 has witnessed the gradual emergence of health and wellness beverages in the online space. However, sales remain limited versus health and wellness packaged food within e-commerce. 
• As consumers are continuously opting for convenient channels for purchasing, major players are launching their own online retail sites and increasing their portfolio of offerings. Swire Coca-Cola and Nestlé, in addition to e-commerce platforms such as HKTVMall, are increasing their variety of product offerings. A growing number of health and wellness brands are ramping up their focus and resources to tap into the e-commerce channel opportunity.

• Hipp GmbH & Co Vertrieb KG led organic packaged food in Hong Kong, with a value share of 13.5% in 2021, followed by Nestlé SA (8.8% market share) and Abbott Laboratories Inc (8.3% market share).
• Happy Planet Foods Inc dominates the organic beverages market; the company captured 13.1% market share in 2021, which was more than double of its nearest competitor. Citrus World Inc remains second with a market share of 5.1% in 2021, and Ekaf SPA is third with a market share of 2.7%. 
• Overall, the organic category is dominated by Hipp GmbH & Co Vertrieb KG with 12.7% of market share in 2021; the company has been ranked number one in the category for six of the past seven years. 
• Pukka Organic Green Tea purchased by Unilever Group in 2017 enjoyed success in recent years, though the brand lost ground in 2021 as sales dropped by 4.3% after three successive years of double-digit growth.

• Covid-19 has accelerated health and wellness trends, which are likely to continue as consumers make increasingly informed purchasing decisions based on ingredients. Consumers in Hong Kong will likely opt for better for you reduced-sugar beverages in traditionally high-sugar content categories, including carbonates, which is forecast to further boost the growth for the category over the coming years. 
• Major players are expected to continue investing in zero and reduced sugar options across different categories to tap the opportunity presented by the health and wellness trends. Reduced sugar energy drinks are also expected to gain further momentum during the forecast period; the category already has a strong presence in Hong Kong. Manufacturers are likely to tap into better for you beverages to grab the opportunity presented by health and wellness trends in Hong Kong. They are expected to pay greater attention to the demand for zero and reduced sugar options.
• Despite growth trends, a challenge lies ahead for better for you beverages; the category is likely to face greater scrutiny from consumers. As the category grows, local consumers become increasingly cautious about various health claims presented by different better for you beverages. Increasing sophistication and awareness would likely make consumers question the health and wellness claims linked to these products. Therefore, manufacturers will face challenges in justifying the claims and higher price points.

• Heightened health concerns due to Covid-19 will continue to boost the overall demand for health and wellness products. The category is expected to record a stable performance over the forecast period in terms of retail volume. 
• In the long-term, health and wellness categories such as naturally healthy bottled water are likely to retain strong growth momentum due to increasing health consciousness. Categories like fortified/functional energy drinks and fortified/functional sports drinks will benefit from increased out-of-home consumption occasions, including a greater focus on exercise. 
• Though foodservice will continue to recover, consumers are expected to counter their increasing reliance on eating out due to busy lifestyles by balancing home consumption with perceived healthier food choices, further driving the demand for better for you packaged food, free from, and naturally healthy options such as high fibre food.

Economy: 

• Hong Kong real GDP growth rebounded to 6.4% in 2021 and is expected to register 3.0% in 2022. The economy is forecast to expand between 2.5-3.0% annually between 2022-2025.
• Private final consumption witnessed an increase of 7.7% in 2021, with a growth of 4.8% expected in 2022. 
• The consumer price index stood at 1.5% in 2021 and is expected to register 1.9% in 2022.

Population demographics: 

• The population of Hong Kong reached 7.5 million in 2021, increasing from 6.7 million in 2000. The majority of population gains are from immigration, with over 80.0% of immigrants coming from Mainland China. 
• The median age is steadily increasing and registered 45.3 years in 2021. With the current ageing trend continuing, the proportion of the population over the age of 65 is expected to represent 22.6% by 2025. This is somewhat concerning, as the rapid ageing is likely to result in increased government spending. 
• Population below 14 will steadily decline to reach at 11.1% in 2025; it remained steady from 2020 to 2022 at 11.6%.

Income & expenditure: 

• The savings ratio in Hong Kong is slightly lower than the regional average, while the disposable income per capita was US$40,086 in 2021 and a rise of 3.7% expected in 2022. A cumulative increase of 31.3% is likely for the period 2020-2030, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%.
• Consumer expenditure per capita reached US$33,306 in 2021, and a rise of 3.9% is predicted for 2022. For the period 2020-2030, consumer expenditure is expected to cumulatively increase by 33.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.0%.

[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.

Top 5 Grocery Retailers By Sales

Note : Cities by population data for Hong Kong is unavailable

Top 5 Export Commodities To Hong Kong

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

Authorized Government Agency(s):

Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety, which operates under the Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), is responsible for implementing territory-wide food safety control policies and enforcing food related legislation.

Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has information about organic farming. 

Agency(s) Contact Information:

Risk Assessment and Communication Division
8/F, Fa Yuen Street Municipal Services Building, 123A Fa Yuen Street, 
Mong Kok, Kowloon
Dr. Yeung Tzd-kiu, Samuel
Telephone: (852) 2867 5600
Home Page
Organic information page

Name(s) of Regulation and/or Standard:

Hong Kong does not have any specific government organic regulations, standards, or labeling. Hong Kong recognizes organic standards and labeling of other countries if the product is certified by third-party certification bodies or authorities. Consumers are advised to look for legible labeling that the product is “organic” or carries the organic logo of a certification body. Food products labeled with terms like “natural”, “no chemicals” or “free-range” should not be regarded as organic. 

In December 2000, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched an Organic Farming Conversion Scheme. The Hong Kong Organic Resource Center was established in December 2002 to develop non-governmental organic production and processing standards that were completed in 2004. The standards include crops, and aquaculture.

Hong Kong does not have a law regulating organic food products. US organic products can be sold in Hong Kong with 
the USDA organic logo.

For more information:
The International Trade Administration
The Centre for Food Safety Food Labelling Frequently Asked Questions

Centre for Food Safety offers a guide for importing food into Hong Kong.

Certification:

Voluntary organic certification is available, and Hong Kong allows the use of organic logos on products certified by foreign authorities. 

Hong Kong Organic Resource Center (HKORC) launched its independent organic certification service, the HKORC Certification Co., Ltd and was accredited by IFOAM-Organics International in 2012 and ISO 17065 in 2015. 

U.S. International Trade Administration

USDA’s GAIN Report Hong Kong Exporter Guide (2024)
USDA’s GAIN Report Good Market Prospects for Organic Products in Hong Kong (2022)
USDA’s GAIN Report 2021 US Agriculture Trade to Hong Kong Data Highlights (2022)
USDA’s GAIN Report Pet Owners Sniff Around for Premium Foods (2022)
USDA’s GAIN Report Best Prospects Analysis for U.S. Agricultural Exports to Hong Kong (2019)
USDA’s GAIN Report Highly Competitive Retail Sector Remains Stable (2019)
USDA’s GAIN Report Hong Kong Retail Foods (2022) 
USDA’s GAIN Report New Marketing Guidelines for Infant and Toddler Foods (2017)
USDA’s GAIN Report Food Service - Hotel Restaurant Institutional (2022)
USDA’s GAIN Report Hong Kong Macau Exporter Guide (2021)
USDA’s FAIRS Report Hong Kong Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate Report (2023)
USDA’s FAIRS Report Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report (2023)
USDA’s GAIN Report Hong Kong Retail Food Competitive Shelf Space in Hong Kong Calling for High Quality Foods (2017)