This report covers the market for frozen fish and seafood in China, including food market trends, retail sales, market share, pricing, forecasts to 2007, current issues and leading company profiles.
Historically, frozen fish and seafood sales have been restricted by the lack of widespread ownership of freezers, and the common habit of buying fresh produce on a daily basis, rather than buying weekly and storing at home for later use. The arrival of the fast-food chains, western-style supermarkets, greater awareness of frozen foods and the emergence of a generation both willing and able to try new products has meant that the market for frozen foods has made great strides in China. The increasingly busy lifestyles of urban Chinese in particular have led to an increased demand for convenience foods, such as frozen ready meals. Also, and increasing number of people are finding it difficult to go shopping for food each day, and so more people are now buying foods for use another day, leading to an increased acceptance of frozen food use.