• Hipp GmbH & Co Vertrieb KG leads the organic segment in Hong Kong with a value share of 10.0% in 2023, followed by Nestlé; SA with a value share of 4.9% and Nature's Path Foods Inc with a share of 3.9%. 
• Hong Kong ranks 46th globally in terms of market size, with a value of US$107.1 mn in 2023, being the 11th largest organic consumer market in the Asia Pacific region and 6th largest by per capita consumption for the region.

• Organic products in Hong Kong represent 0.2% of global demand and 0.8% of the market in the Asia Pacific region, recording a per capita expenditure of US$14.1 in 2023. 
• The market for organic products in Hong Kong is projected to increase with a value CAGR of 3.1% for the forecast period 2023-2028 in 2023 constant prices with fixed USD exchange rates, reaching a value of US$124.5 mn by 2028.

• The Organic Packaged Food and Beverages category in Hong Kong registered a value increase of 7.5% in 2023 in current prices to record a market size of US$107.1 million. 
• During the historic period of 2019-2023, the Organic Packaged Food category registered a negative CAGR of 10.6% 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 2.5% in constant prices.
• Organic Beverages grew across the historic period, increasing by 3.2% current CAGR. A continued increase is expected at a higher pace of 9.5% constant CAGR over the forecast period.
• Organic Packaged Food was primarily driven by Organic Cooking Ingredients and Meals with a 5.8% current CAGR during the historic period, being the only category that recorded growth across Organic Packaged Food. The category is expected to grow at a constant CAGR of 4.3% over the forecast period.
• Within Organic Beverages, Organic Hot Drinks was the only category registering growth during the historic period at a current 16.3% CAGR. For the forecast period, both Organic Soft Drinks and Organic Hot Drinks are expected to grow, with projected constant CAGRs of 13.6% and 1.2%, respectively.

• Even before the pandemic shifted consumer focus on how their diet affected their health, consumers in Hong Kong have remained focused on healthy eating, recognizing the links between a poor diet and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. According to Euromonitor International's most recent Voice of the Consumer survey from January-February 2024, 37% of consumers in Hong Kong look for products that contain healthy ingredients in their food and beverages, with 34% also claiming that they closely read the nutritional labels of food and beverages.
• Although consumers perceive organic foods to be less processed and thus healthier than standard foods, sales for this claim are suffering due to consumers not being prepared to spend additional money on products with an organic claim, which may be attributed to people in Hong Kong having a strong saving culture. Even though it is struggling to gain traction, the organic claim is present in staple foods such as rice, pasta and noodles, with gluten free and high fiber the most common claims used in combination with organic.

• Hipp GmbH & Co Vertrieb KG is leading the Organic Packaged Food category with a market share of 10.7% in 2023, growing 4.0 p.p. from the previous year. The company proudly advertises all of its products as being made organically with the HiPP Organic Seal certification, including food specifically for toddlers, weaning food and milk formula.
• Beutelsbacher Fruchtsaftkelterei GmbH continued to lead Organic Beverages in 2023 with a 14.9% market share, losing 1.8 p.p. from the previous year, mainly due to the increase of smaller players in the market. The leading company has an extensive organic product catalog of fruit juices, cocktails, spritzers and soft drinks.

• Concerns over the prevalence of certain diseases will be a key factor in the future growth of health benefit claims in Hong Kong over the forecast period. In line with this, demand for products that support vision health is expected to be accelerated by increased use of digital home entertainment and exposure to screens while working and studying. This high usage of digital devices is having a detrimental impact on vision health, especially among children, with rising cases of myopia linked to high amounts of screen time. As vision health concerns grow more consumers could turn to dietary solutions to help address the issue.
• Across the forecast period, sales of Organic Dairy Products and Alternatives are set to grow, with retail sales projected to rise at a 4.5% constant value CAGR to reach US$47.8 million in 2028 and become the largest category within Organic Health and Wellness. Consumers are expected to pay even closer attention to the specific health benefits offered by the foods they consume, looking for specific health claims such as immune support and digestive benefits. Across the forecast period, Organic Baby Food will be the leading product in the Organic Dairy Products and Alternatives landscape, reaching sales of US$35.8 million, supported by a forecast constant CAGR of 4.7%.

• In Hong Kong, flexitarian and plant-based diets have attracted the most attention over the last couple of years, as a flexitarian diet promotes plant-based food consumption while minimizing the consumption of meat and other animal products. Therefore, an increasing number of local consumers are searching for plant-based foods that can provide nutrition to compensate for the loss of animal protein, with plant-based foods including a high protein content specifically becoming increasingly popular. 
• Natural products continue to drive growth, as the natural claim remains one of the most important within Health and Wellness in Hong Kong. This is mainly due to the perception of the claim, as consumers see natural products as better for them and with less processed ingredients, as well as a change in lifestyle with many people reducing their alcohol consumption, adopting a regular exercise routine and becoming more mindful of their dietary choices.

Economy: 

• Hong Kong's economy is projected to register 1.7% real GDP growth in 2025. This growth is mainly due to visible increases in exports of goods and services during the first quarter of the year and the resumption of moderate growth in overall investment expenditure.
• Real GDP growth is anticipated to remain constant, reaching 1.9% in 2026 and averaging around 2.3% annually through 2028.
• Inflation closed 2024 at 1.7% and is expected to accelerate slightly to 1.8% in 2025.

Population demographics: 

• Hong Kong's population reached 7.5 million in 2024 and is projected to remain unchanged in 2025. Hong Kong would be the 5th oldest region in the world by median age when compared against countries, with the percentage of the population aged 65+ increasing from 18.5% in 2020 to 22.9% in 2024. 
• The median age in Hong Kong was recorded at 48.0 years in 2024, an increase of 2.5 years from 2020.

Income & expenditure: 

• The savings ratio in Hong Kong reached 22.5% of disposable income in 2024, which would rank 10th among all countries, driven by Hongkonger's desire to achieve effective financial management and focus on wealth management.
• Consumer expenditure per capita grew by 1.6% in 2024 in current USD terms. In constant USD, it is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.8% through 2028. This growth is likely driven by increased spending on transport, although hotels and catering is projected to remain the largest consumer spending category.
• Disposable income per capita was US$44,817 in 2024. It is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.6% through 2028, growing at a slower pace than 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 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)