Past Reports
Nov 9, 2020

China: New report looks at shopping behavior and more

A new report from the consulting firm McKinsey & Company “Understanding Chinese Consumers: Growth Engine of the World” reported on several trends influencing the grocery sector:
1. Online grocery sales are expected to increase as demand expands in lower tier cities. 
2. Shoppers expect convenience and ultra-fast delivery of online fresh food orders.
3. Omnichannel services are more widely accepted.
4. Consumers increasingly value quality, health and safety for fresh and packaged foods. (About 1/3 of consumers say they intend to purchase organic foods, but only about one percent actually do.)
5. Private labels are increasing.
6. Grocery stores are revamping foodservice models.
The free 158-page report also looks at how COVID-19 is reshaping the economy, digital strategies for marketing in China, and more.

Related News

Oct 15, 2020

Austria: Organic sales up despite pandemic

According to data from Agrarmarkt Austria Marketing (AMA), Austrians spent about 20 percent more on fresh organic food in the first half of 2020, compared to the first half of 2019. Milk and egg purchases led the way, but were slightly less that 2019. Other categories with above average sales include potatoes, vegetables and fruit yogurt. Austrians spend €2.06 billion on organic food in 2019, with 15 percent of sales via specialty shops and direct sales, while nearly 3/4 of the sales were in grocery stores. Within the grocery channel, 28 percent of sales were in  discounters, while full-range stores sold 72 percent.

Sep 3, 2020

United Kingdom: Organic sales increase in 2020

Sales of organic products in UK supermarkets have seen a growth rate nearly double that of non-organic food and drink. Organic products have had a year-over-year growth rate of 6.1 percent, and grew even more in the first weeks of the pandemic lockdown. The organic sector is likely to exceed is projected market value of £2.5 billion by the end of 2020. Organic product categories with higher growth rates include: preserves and spreads (up 18 percent), beef (up 15 percent), eggs (up 15 percent), sparking wine (up 47 percent), and fruit, especially bananas. Some of the shift is attributed to concerns arising from the pandemic resulting in people valuing food more.

Aug 20, 2020

Taiwan: Equivalence agreement expected to increase organic trade opportunities

Taiwan is the fifth largest export market for U.S. organic products, reaching over $90 million in sales in 2019. Thanks to the May 2020 equivalence arrangement between U.S. and Taiwan, U.S. organic sales in Taiwan are forecast to grow by almost 50 percent between 2020 to 2025.

Jun 29, 2020

Taiwan: Organic equivalence agreements policy may reduce imports from EU

Taiwan’s policy of requiring organic equivalency agreements may change the origins of its imported organic products, as most European Union countries are not pursuing agreements. As of May 31, 2020 only five of 22 countries engaged in organic trade with Taiwan have signed equivalency agreements: Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States. Meanwhile, of the organic products imported into Taiwan in 2019, 52.9 percent came from the EU, 18.8 percent from the United States, 10.3 percent from Canada, 8.9 percent from Australia, and 7.2 percent from New Zealand. Over 86 percent of Taiwanese consumers prefer organic fruits and vegetables.

Jun 15, 2020

India: Despite tariffs, organic market offers opportunity

According to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service report on the Indian Organic Foods Market, “there has been a significant drop in U.S. agricultural exports to India since 2018 due to the retaliatory import tariffs imposed by India, which has also hampered trade prospects in the organic sector.” Organic food and beverage retail sales in India reached $69 million in 2019 and are estimated to increase 12 percent to $77 million in 2020. Best prospects for US organic products there include apples, vinegar, pears, and coffee.

Jun 15, 2020

European Union: 2019 organic import statistics now available

In 2019, the European Union imported 3.24 million tons of organic products, about the same as 2018. China is the leading importing country, at 433,000 tons, with organic soy meal for animal feed as the leading product at 77 percent of all Chinese imports. Ukraine supplies one tenth of EU’s organic imports at 338,000 tonnes, especially of wheat and other cereals. Due to banana imports and other tropical products, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Peru are the third, fourth and fifth leading importers.

Dec 4, 2019

Saudi Arabia: Organic market expected to expand

According to the “Saudi Arabia Natural & Organic Food Market (2019-2025): Market Forecast by Types, by Distribution Channels, by Origin, by Regions, and Competitive Landscape" report, the market for organic and natural foods in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.9% from 2019-2025. More than 80% of the organic food in the country is imported,  and the Saudi Arabia government has developed a $200 million action plan to support organic farming.