Frightened By Food Contamination Incidents, Chinese Consumers Go Organic

The organic food sector in China is benefiting from consumer reaction to recent food safety problems, according to market researcher Mintel. Eighty percent of Chinese consumers say protecting themselves from food contamination is a major reason they are willing to pay more for organic foods and beverages. Fifty-six percent of Chinese consumers in metropolitan areas say they now spend more on organic foods, and the same number say they have bought organic fresh foods and drinks in the past year. Most popular organic foods purchased by Chinese consumers: fresh milk (37 percent), cooking oil (35 percent), pork (33 percent), beef (26 percent) and chicken (26 percent). Three-fourths of Chinese consumers do their organic shopping at supermarkets.