Self-heating instant foods are gaining popularity in China. They are convenient to prepare and taste good. Self-heating instant foods are packaged foods cooked and eaten with a self-heating pack without electricity, fire, or gas. They are known as military rations in South Korea.
According to the China Food Industry Association on the 7th, the size of the Chinese self-heating instant food market last year was 5 billion yuan (approximately $700 million), with an average annual growth rate of 7% over the past five years since 2017. The self-heating instant food market includes raw material companies such as packaging, manufacturing, and distribution.
It is explained that the self-heating instant food market is growing as the packaging and other materials have improved with the technological development of the Chinese food industry. The number of players has also increased. In 2022 alone, 212 related companies opened their doors in China. Including these, 1549 companies have been counted as operating a self-heating instant food business in China.
The menu has also diversified. It is said that the existing hot pot and rice have recently increased to include grilled fish and clay pot chicken rice.
KOTRA predicts that the Chinese self-heating instant food market will grow and advises Korean companies to establish a differentiation strategy. They suggest exploring various measures, such as researching the local self-heating instant food market demand and developing menus that suit local tastes. They also added that it would be beneficial to establish a brand image and marketing strategy.
By. Ah Reum Han
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