
Photo: VCG
There are the usual items familiar to consumers from developed economies: potato chips, yogurt, and chocolates.
But there are more niche items, as well, such as fiber-infused sodas and mouth-numbing peanuts. And regional specialities like candied fruits from Xinjiang and rose-flavored pastries from Yunnan.
An ever-diverse array of snacks has become one of the most promising sectors in China’s fast-moving consumer goods market, according to a new report.
The sector expanded fourfold from 2006 to 2016, from 424 billion yuan ($61 billion) to 2.2 trillion yuan. It will reach 3 trillion yuan ($435 billion) by 2020, according to estimates in the report, published Monday by China’s Ministry of Commerce.
What’s behind the boom?
The report credits households’ rising disposable income and more willingness to spend on social activities. It also cited better branding and higher quality goods, as well as more diverse and convenient channels to purchase the items, from supermarkets to e-commerce platforms.
Related: Chinese Hunger for Exotic Flavors Drives Food Import Growth

