China

Here are some facts for you to digest about China.

Market background 

• Population: 1,317.66 million (2006)
• GDP per head: $ 1,927.57
• Unemployment rate: 4% (2006)
• Inflation: 2.1% 
• Consumer expenditure on food and non -alcoholic drinks: £146 per head (2006)

Trade environment

• Total food and drink imports to the market 2006: £11,475,635.93  (source: China customs statistics)
• UK food and drink exports to the market 2006: £79,690.58 (source:China customs statistics)
• UK share of imports 2006: 0.82% (China total imports: £391,969.16 million and the imports from the UK: £3,221.46 million)

Categories of interest

• Biscuits – there is excellent potential for high quality British biscuits.

• Cheese - More and more retailers, restaurants and bakery stores are looking for imported cheeses. UK manufacturers are recommended to take advantage of this opportunity.

• Health related products. 

• Confectionery products are in high demand.

• British Beer and Ales.

• Breakfast cereals are still a novelty in China but UK exports of cereals to China have shown an increase of 11% from 2006.

• Fish and seafood. UK Fish and seafood exports to China are showing continuous growth.

• Jams, Chutneys and Condiments. UK exports of preserved products such as jams and chutneys have increased.
  

Retail environment

Top retailers by market share in China (2006)

1	Carrefour	2.9%
2	Wu-mart	2.7%
3	Nong Gong Shang	2.3%
4	RT-Mart	2.3%
5	Wal-mart	1.7%
6	Trust-mart	1.6%
7	Lotus	1.6%
8	Metro	1.1%
9	Hymall	1.1%
10	Auchan	0.7%
11	Jingkelong	0.7%