Kosher Food in China – Developments in Chinese Ingredients

As China’s ranking in the global economy continues to soar, it comes as no surprise to learn that the influence of its consumers has become increasingly of consequence.  The buying preferences of China’s current population of 1.3 billion people has the power to shift the direction of consumer spending worldwide.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, consumer spending in China is growing at an average annual rate of 18 percent, compared to a 2.2% gain for the United States.

To support and fulfil the demands of domestic food and drink companies, the number of ingredients manufacturers in China has increased as well as their production volumes. According to USDA, in 2013, there were 23,080 enterprises processing food ingredients from agricultural products. Walk any food ingredients exhibition worldwide and one will see the country with the largest number of exhibitors is China.

Kosher Food in China for Ingredient Buyers

A magnet for ingredients buyers the world over and a focal point for international trade shows is the spectacular Shanghai New International Expo Centre.  This state of the art venue hosts more than seventy world-class exhibitions a year and was the natural choice to stage the prestigious CPhI China event, co-located with FI Asia – China, which took place last month. It is the obvious choice for ingredients buyers particularly from North America looking for kosher food in China. KLBD agent Ritan Biotech was again exhibiting. The company is also an established manufacturer of natural astaxanthin, marigold meal, lutein and inositol in Shandong Province.

KLBD Certified Chinese Companies

Many Chinese companies have chosen to certify their companies with KLBD in recognition that the distinctive logo is an assurance of quality and compliance with the highest standards of food production and management. One such company now qualified to supply kosher food in China is Xuzhou Hens Food Company Limited, whose manufacturing operation is located against the stunning backdrop of the ancient city, Xuzhou in Jiangsu Province.  The company specialises in the production and operation of phosphate products and its mission statement, ‘Food is the paramount necessity of people and food safety is the top priority’ demonstrates the emphasis placed on strict quality control and management. Another KLBD certified company based in Jiangsu is Jiangbei Additive Co Ltd, which manufactures high-grade food additives, including calcium and potassium sorbate.

The Shanghai Brilliant Gum Company operates the largest carrageenan factory in China, with a massive annual capacity of 450 tons of konjac powder and 4,500 tons of pure carrageenan. Carrageenan is widely used in the food industry for its gelling, thickening and stabilizing properties. Similarly attaching great importance to quality accreditation, Shanghai Brilliant Gum became KLBD certified in 2003 and exports kosher food in China to more than thirty countries around the world.

Situated at the tip of China’s Liaodong Peninsular is the vibrant and comparatively new city of Dalian, having been in existence for a mere hundred years. Here, KLBD certified Jiachem Dentbio manufactures its exciting range of gums and gelling agents, including chewing gum, mints, xylitol, candy, lollipops and sugar free gum.

In south-west China, KLBD certified Evonik Rexim (Nanning) Pharmaceutical Co manufactures drugs in pharmaceutical preparations for human and veterinary applications. Nanning is the capital of the Guangxi autonomous region and is a transport gateway for goods and travellers to and from Vietnam.

The manufacture and distribution of oils, fats and ingredients for the confectionery, bakery and soy protein markets is undertaken by KLBD certified Tianjin Fuji Protein at their factory in Tianjin, one of the five national central cities of China. Tianjin is also the largest port in northern China and the tenth largest container port in the world.

Another KLBD certified company manufacturing kosher food in China for shipping is Tianjin Jianfeng Natural Product R & D Co Limited, The company is widely regarded in China as being the largest producer of grape seed extracts and has ambitions to build the biggest grape seed extract facility in the world. Since the company’s inception, it has specialised in the research, development and production of natural plant extracts, as well as currently holding a licence to independently conduct import and export business.

What the Consumers Say

Recent statistics on Chinese consumer food shopping trends confirm that when it comes to trying out new food and beverage products, more than half consider that they have become increasingly open minded to trying new and varied items from the supermarket shelves. According to market research agency, Kantar TNS, in its latest ‘Food and Beverage China’ study, 51% of the 7,700 consumers it interviewed across more than thirty Chinese cities were more willing than before to pay a premium for groceries with add-on benefits.

The findings that younger consumers were particularly amenable to discovering new and adventurous tastes reflected a general trend within the Chinese market that horizons were broadening as the population became wealthier and more discerning.

International food conglomerate Cargill acknowledged this exponential growth by opening an innovation centre in Shanghai last December named Cargill One. Senior Vice-President Todd Hall commented, ‘We have multiple innovation centres around the world specialising in distinct food groups, such as animal protein, sweeteners and texturisers.Cargill One is our first innovation centre in Asia that pulls together this knowledge to offer a one-stop consultancy to our customers in China’. It is hoped that the Centre will develop food and flavours for Chinese consumers which both satisfy the need for a healthy and nutritious diet, as well as providing a public platform for education on food safety.