China’s food system is changing fast. Recent years have brought sweeping new policies focused on food safety, traceability, sustainable packaging, and domestic supply security. For Canadian companies that can navigate the regulatory complexity, this is a high-potential market.
There’s strong demand for shelf-stable, traceable, and eco-conscious products that serve a growing middle class. Canadian companies offering compliance-ready technologies in processing, packaging, or food safety may find an opening—especially when paired with trusted local partners.
That said, this is not a plug-and-play market. Import rules are detailed, and government policies around domestic substitution and digital compliance are evolving. E-commerce platforms like Alibaba and pilot zones like Shanghai’s Free Trade Zone, are increasingly common entry points for foreign firms.