The perspective of meat and meat-alternative consumption in China

• Published in: Meat science Vol. 194; p. 108982
• Main Author: Wang, H. Holly
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2022
• Subjects: animal welfare; Animals; Child; China; Consumer attitude; Consumer Behavior; Cultured meat; Food safety; Food security; Humans; low-income population; malnutrition; Meat; meat consumption; meat production; meat science; Nutrition security; Plant-based meat; supply balance; willingness to pay; China; Consumer attitude; Food safety; Plant-based meat; Food security; Nutrition security; Cultured meat
• ISSN: 0309-1740; 1873-4138; 1873-4138
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2022.108982

This study provides an overview of Chinese meat consumption based on literature review. China, having the largest mid-income population, has become the world's largest meat consumer. Its per capita meat consumption has been growing fast over the past decades to 49 kg, half of that of the US. Chinese consumers are aware of the environmental, health and animal welfare concerns, and can accept plant-based and lab cultured meats. Their adoption rate of these meat alternatives is low and their willingness-to-pay for them is also low from 5% below to 5% above conventional meat, compatible to the level in the US and EU countries. China, as an emerging economy, takes it as a serious challenge for food and nutrition security, where meat plays an indispensable role. Malnutrition still exists among children and the low-income population due to low meat intake. Government is playing an active role in boosting its domestic meat production to meet its market demand for more meat. •Chinese per capita income continues to grow, and so does its meat consumption•Chinese consumers are aware of the environmental, health and animal welfare issues associated with meat consumption•Markets for cultured meat and vegetarian food including plant-based meat exist in China, but the willingness-to-pay is low•Chinese government supports its meat supply chain for food and nutrition security consideration