China Baby Food Market Size and Share by Categories, Distribution and Forecast to 2028

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China Baby Food Market Report Overview

The China baby food market size was CNY94.8 billion ($14.1 billion) in 2022. The market is expected to garner a CAGR of less than 1% during 2022-2028.

China Baby Food Market Outlook, 2022-2028 (CNY Billion)

China Baby Food Market Outlook, 2022-2028 (CNY Billion)

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The China baby food market research report puts together multiple data sources to provide a comprehensive baby food sector overview in the country. The report covers key information about the per capita expenditure (PCE) and per capita consumption (PCC) to help in understanding the baby food market growth trajectory in China. Furthermore, the China baby food market analysis offers detailed category-wise, distribution channel-wise, and company-wise insights to understand potential business opportunities.

Market Size (2022) CNY94.8 billion ($14.1 billion)
CAGR (2022-2028) <1%
Historical Period 2016-2022
Forecast Period 2023-2028
Key Categories ·        Baby Milks

·        Baby Cereals & Dry Meals

·        Baby Wet Meals & Other

·        Baby Finger Food

·        Baby Drinks

Key Distribution Channels ·        E-retailers

·        Convenience Stores

·        Drugstores & Pharmacies

·        Hypermarkets & Supermarkets

Leading Manufacturers ·        Nestlé

·        Feihe International

·        Danone

·        Yili Group

·        The a2 Milk Company

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China Baby Food Market Segmentation by Categories

Baby milks category led the China baby food market by value and volume in 2022

The key categories in the China baby food market are:

  • Baby Milks
  • Baby Wet Meals & Other
  • Baby Cereals & Dry Meals
  • Baby Drinks
  • Baby Finger Food

The baby milks category comprises breast-milk substitutes from birth to three years of age, which include first-stage, follow-on, and third-stage milk (also referred to as growing-up or toddler milk), and special dietary milk products. The sale of baby milks continued to rise in 2022 as new customers, particularly in lower-tier cities, began to use infant formula, a trend that will bode well for future years. Domestic manufacturers are expected to continue to gain ground in the Chinese baby milks market. More launches of organic milk, A2 milk, and HMO milk can be expected from domestic brands during the forecast period.

China Baby Food Market Analysis by Categories, 2022 (%)

China Baby Food Market Analysis by Categories, 2022 (%)

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China Baby Food Market Segmentation by Distribution Channels

E-retailers was the leading distribution channel for baby food in 2022

The key distribution channels in the China baby food market are:

  • E-retailers
  • Convenience Stores
  • Drugstores & Pharmacies
  • Hypermarkets & Supermarkets
  • Others

In 2022, e-retailers held the top position as the leading distribution channel for baby food, followed by convenience stores and drugstores & pharmacies.

China Baby Food Market Analysis by Distribution Channels, 2022 (%)

China Baby Food Market Analysis by Distribution Channels, 2022 (%)

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China Baby Food Market - Competitive Landscape

Nestlé led the baby food market in 2022

The leading companies in the China baby food market are:

  • Nestlé
  • Feihe International
  • Danone
  • Yili Group
  • The a2 Milk Company
  • Others

Nestlé led the market in 2022, followed by Feihe International, and Danone among others. Nestlé offers baby food products across its key brands, including Wyeth and Gerber.

China Baby Food Market Analysis, by Companies, 2022 (%)

China Baby Food Market Analysis, by Companies, 2022 (%)

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Segments Covered in the Report

China Baby Food Categories Outlook (Value, CNY Billion, 2016-2028)

  • Baby Milks
  • Baby Wet Meals & Other
  • Baby Cereals & Dry Meals
  • Baby Drinks
  • Baby Finger Food

China Baby Food Distribution Channel Outlook (Value, CNY Billion, 2016-2028)

  • E-retailers
  • Convenience Stores
  • Drugstores & Pharmacies
  • Hypermarkets & Supermarkets
  • Others

Scope

This report provides:

  • Consumption data based upon a unique combination of industry research, fieldwork, market sizing work and our in-house expertise to offer extensive data about the trends and dynamics affecting the industry.
  • Detailed profile of the companies operating and new companies considering entry in the industry along with their key focus product sectors.
  • Market profile of the various product sectors with the key features & developments, segmentation, per capita trends, and the various manufacturers & brands.
  • Overview of baby food retailing with a mention of the major retailers in the country along with the distribution channel.
  • Future projections considering various trends that are likely to affect the industry.

Reasons to Buy

  • Evaluate important changes in consumer behavior and identify profitable markets and areas for product innovation.
  • Analyze current and forecast behavior trends in each category to identify the best opportunities to exploit.
  • Understand consumer behavior by individual product categories to align your sales and marketing efforts with the latest trends in the market.
  • Identify which categories are performing and how this is changing market dynamics.

Nestlé
Feihe International
Danone
Yili Group
The a2 Milk Company
Biostime Group
Abbott Laboratories
Mead Johnson (Reckitt Benckiser)
FrieslandCampina
HiPP

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Part 1: Market Environment

Value and Volume Growth Analysis by Region

Growth Analysis of China Compared with Other Leading Countries in Asia-Pacific

PCC and PCE of China Compared with Global and Asia-Pacific Markets

Part 2: Background

Births

The Consumer

Sociodemographic Trends

Working Women

Breastfeeding Trends

Regulations

Introduction

Manufacturers’ Market Entry

Production

Part 3: Overview

China Baby Food Sector Snapshot

Market Size Analysis

Manufacturer Shares

Part 4: Category Analysis

Baby Milks

Baby Cereals & Dry Meals

Baby Wet Meals & Other

Baby Finger Food

Baby Drinks

Other Baby Food

Part 5: Production and Trade

Imports

Exports

Production

Part 6: Distribution

Channel Share Analysis

Baby Food Retailing

Part 7: Economic Background

GDP Growth and Inflation

Part 8: Prospects and Forecasts

Future Trends

Part 9: Definitions

Part 10: Appendix

Methodology

About GlobalData

Table

Birth & population trends, 2009–28

Births by birth order, million births, 2013–17

Population by province, 2012–21

Live births by province, 2012–19

Rural/urban population breakdown, 2014–21

Annual per capita disposable income, 2008–18

National per capita disposable income of households by income quintile (CNY), 2014–20

National per capita disposable income of households by region (CNY), 2014–20

Population and income (urban and rural), 2013, 2016, and 2018

Annual food expenditure (CNY), 2013–18

Food expenditure by province, 2013–18

Total retailer sales of consumer goods by province, 2019–20

Breakdown of urban population by income group, 2012

Ownership of durable consumer goods, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2013–18

Internet usage, 2013–20

Population and income profile, eastern coast, 2011 & 2018

Population and income profile, northeast China, 2011 & 2018

Population and income profile, central China, 2011 & 2018

Population and income profile, western China, 2011 & 2018

Number of households by city tier, 2019

Cities spending most on children’s products, 2019

Births by age of mother, 2015

Number of women of childbearing age (’000), 2016–19

Changes in childbearing age, Zhejiang province, 2013, 2015, and 2017

Population of largest cities in China, 2021

Female labor force participation, 2013–20

Maternity leave by province, 2017

Maternity leave by province, 2020

Exclusive breastfeeding rates, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2017–18

Breastfeeding duration: age at which breastfeeding stopped, 2011

Feeding habits in first six months of life, 2017–18

Breastfeeding rates at 6–11 months, 2017–18

Exclusive breastfeeding rates by location, 1997, 2002, 2009, and 2017–18

Breastfeeding rates at discharge, Zhejiang province, 2004–05

Breastfeeding rates in Hunan province, 2013

Breastfeeding rates by age of baby, Zhejiang province, %, 2004–05

Breastfeeding rates in the first six months of life in China, 2005–16

Prevalence of breastfeeding in China, 2013–18

Changes to the National Food Safety Standards, infant formula, 2021

Regulations covering infant formula registration

Regulations covering CBEC retailing of infant formula

Overseas companies manufacturing in China

International partnerships in the Chinese baby milks category

Chinese companies manufacturing overseas

Acquisitions/joint ventures between Chinese companies in the baby milks category

Manufacturers’ market entry

Infant formula production expansion by Chinese companies, coming on stream 2014–18

Leading categories (value and volume), 2022

Baby food: manufacturer shares, value & volume %, 2016–22

Baby food: manufacturer shares by category, %, 2022

Sales of infant formula by region, value, 2014 and 2015

Penetration of infant formula by region, value, 2014 and 2015

Sales of infant formula by city tier, 2003 & 2018

Key purchasing criteria for infant formula, 2013

FMCG market growth in upper-tier and lower-tier cities of China, 2012–17

Preference for buying high-end brands of infant milk formula among parents in lower-tier cities, 2018

Use of ingredients in infant formula brands, 2019

Baby milks: brand concentration by distribution channel, 2017

Market shares in selected provinces, % of value sales, 2014

Baby milks: top 10 brands online, 2017 and 2018

Baby milks: top 10 formula packs online, full-year 2018

Baby milks: top 10 formula packs online, first quarter 2018

Baby milk: best-selling brands with sales revenue, 2021

Facilities approved to produce liquid milk, 2019

Baby milks: SKUs by pack type, 2022

Baby milks: SKUs by pack size, 2022

Baby milks: brand price positioning analysis, 2022

Baby milks: manufacturer & brand shares, value and volume %, 2016–22

Baby milks: manufacturer & brand shares, value %, 2016–22

Baby milks: manufacturer & brand shares, volume %, 2016–22

Baby milks: best-selling brands by sales revenue, 2021

Leading domestic firms’ strengths, 2021

Leading domestic firms’ followers, 2018

Leading international firms’ strengths, 2021

Baby cereals & dry meals: SKUs by pack type, 2022

Baby cereals & dry meals: SKUs by pack size, 2022

Baby cereals & dry meals: brand price positioning analysis, 2022

Baby cereals & dry meals: manufacturer & brand shares, value and volume %, 2016–22

Baby cereals & dry meals: manufacturer & brand shares, value %, 2016–22

Baby cereals & dry meals: manufacturer & brand shares, volume %, 2016–22

Baby wet meals & other: SKUs by pack type, 2022

Baby wet meals & other: SKUs by pack size, 2022

Baby wet meals & other: brand price positioning analysis, 2022

Baby wet meals & other: manufacturer & brand shares, value and volume %, 2016–22

Baby wet meals & other: manufacturer & brand shares, value %, 2016–22

Baby wet meals & other: manufacturer & brand shares, volume %, 2016–22

Baby finger food: SKUs by pack type, 2022

Baby finger food: SKUs by pack size, 2022

Baby finger food: brand price positioning analysis, 2022

Baby finger food: manufacturer & brand shares, value and volume %, 2016–22

Baby finger food: manufacturer & brand shares, value %, 2016–22

Baby finger food: manufacturer & brand shares, volume %, 2016–22

Baby drinks: SKUs by pack type, 2022

Baby drinks: SKUs by pack size, 2022

Baby drinks: brand price positioning analysis, 2022

Baby drinks: manufacturer & brand shares, value and volume %, 2016–22

Baby drinks: manufacturer & brand shares, value %, 2016–22

Baby drinks: manufacturer & brand shares, volume %, 2016–22

Baby milks & cereals: trends in imports, 2015–22

Imports of baby milks & cereals by country of origin, 2020–22

Other baby food: trends in imports, 2015–22

Imports of other baby food by country of origin, 2020–22

Baby milks & cereals: trends in exports, 2015–22

Exports of baby milks & cereals by country of destination, 2020–22

Other baby food: trends in exports, 2015–22

Exports of other baby food by country of destination, 2020–22

Domestic/imported baby food, by category, % of SKUs, 2013, 2015, and 2017–19

Change in distribution share, 2016–22

Baby food: sales by outlet type, % value, 2016–22

Baby food: sales by type of food & outlet type, % value, 2022

Selected leading mother and baby store chains, 2021

Ecommerce channels overview

Sales of infant formulae by outlet type, %, 2015–19

China’s parenting and infant care ecommerce market size in CNY billions (2013–20)

Category definitions

Terminology definitions

Baby population, number of babies (’000), 2009–28

Baby food: market value, current prices ($ million), 2016–22

Baby food: market value, constant prices, 2016–22

Baby food: market volume, million kg, 2016–22

Baby food: PCE, current prices ($), 2016–22

Baby food: PCE, constant prices, 2016–22

Baby food: PCC, kg, 2016–22

Baby milks: category segmentation, value & volume, 2016–22

Baby milk brands approved for sale from 2018 onwards

Registered certified organic baby food brands, China, 2020

Categories/types of infant FSMP-approved products in China, 2021

Approved infant formula brands and products by manufacturer, China, 2019

Number of registered infant formula milk powder products by age group, China, 2020

Number of registered infant formula milk powder products in China, 2017–20

Approved infant formula brands and products by region, China, 2019

Overseas infant formula companies registered in China, 2020

Overseas infant formula companies registered in China, 2016

Infant formula manufacturers with CNCA approval, 2014

Baby food: market value forecasts, current prices ($ million), 2022–28

Baby food: market value forecasts, constant prices, 2022–28

Baby food: market volume forecasts, million kg, 2022–28

Baby food: PCE forecasts, current prices ($), 2022–28

Baby food: PCE forecasts, constant prices, 2022–28

Baby food: PCC forecasts, kg, 2022–28

Exchange rates: LCU per $, 2016–22

Exchange rates: LCU per $, 2023–28

SKUs allocation by product type

Figures

China’s value and volume shares in the global and Asia-Pacific baby food sectors, 2022–27

China compared with other leading countries in terms of market share, growth, and competitive landscape

PCC comparison – China, Asia-Pacific, and global, 2017–27

PCE comparison – China, Asia-Pacific, and global, 2017–27

China: In light of the rising cost of living, how have your shopping habits changed for baby care and child care products?

China: How would you describe your spend on the following products in the last three months?

China: Which of the following features do you actively look for when making a purchase?

Top 10 enterprises in obtaining registration certificates, 2020

Number of registered imported products in different countries, 2020

Registered powdered goat milk vs. registered powdered cow milk, China, 2020

Percentages of registered organic products, China, 2020

Baby food: sector size (value), 2016–22

Baby food: sector size (volume), 2016–22

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby food sector, 2016–28

Baby food: manufacturer shares, value %, 2022

Baby food: manufacturer shares, volume %, 2022

Baby food: manufacturer shares by category, % value, 2022

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby milks category, 2016–28

Baby milks: PCE & PCC, 2016–22

Baby milks: PCE & PCC by age group, 2016–22

Baby milks: segmentation, value and volume, 2016–22

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby cereals & dry meals category, 2016–28

Baby cereals & dry meals: PCE & PCC, 2016–22

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby wet meals & other category, 2016–28

Baby wet meals & other: PCE & PCC, 2016–22

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby finger food category, 2016–28

Baby finger food: PCE & PCC, 2016–22

Market size and growth analysis by value and volume, baby drinks category, 2016–28

Baby drinks: PCE & PCC, 2016–22

Share of key distribution channels (in value terms) – baby food, 2022

Key distribution channel share by category (in value terms), 2022

GDP at current prices (CNY billion)

Real GDP growth rate (%)

Consumer price inflation (%)

Unemployment rate (%)

Frequently asked questions

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