SHANGHAI, March 3rd, 2026 —— Pre-made dishes, produced in a standardized manner, have made their way onto the dinner tables for the Chinese New Year's Eve reunion dinner, a cherished occasion emphasizing family togetherness and ritualistic significance. Driven by the dual forces of consumers' anxiety over cooking skills and their high expectations for food quality, the pre-made food industry is undergoing a pivotal shift from a phase of unregulated expansion to an era of quality-centric competition.
Recently, Sean Zhang, Managing Director of CIC, shared in-depth insights and development recommendations for the pre-made food industry in an exclusive interview with Shanghai Securities News during the Spring Festival holiday.
Here are the key takeaways from the interview:
Consumer Psychology and Long-term Demand
According to Sean, the integration of pre-made dishes into the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner is a profound reflection of modern consumer lifestyles. "It highlights the demand for 'efficiency' in fast-paced urban life, coupled with the prevalent 'cooking anxiety' among younger generations, who still hold high expectations for festive dishes—especially for elaborate 'hard dishes' and festive dim sum or desserts," he explained. The rise of smaller family units also makes traditional, large-scale home cooking prone to waste, making the portion-controlled and combo offerings of prepared dishes a perfect fit.
While acknowledging that the sector's growth can face short-term fluctuations due to food safety incidents or public sentiment, Sean views this as a necessary catalyst. "This is precisely what pushes the market from its 'wild growth' phase into a stage of 'quality competition.' The long-term sustainability of this demand does not hinge on whether prepared dishes exist, but on whether good prepared dishes exist," he stated.
Looking ahead, consumer expectations are set to rise, focusing on:
Transparency: Clear labeling of ingredients and nutritional information.
Health Attributes: A shift towards low-oil, low-salt, and additive-free options.
Cultural Connection: Products that evoke emotional resonance, such as those incorporating traditional or "China-chic" designs.
Sean emphasized that the core demand will persist but will continuously evolve towards higher standards and greater market segmentation. According to projections from CIC, the market size for prepared dishes in China is expected to grow steadily, from RMB 651.4 billion in 2024 to RMB 898.1 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%.
Key Evolution in Consumer Preferences and Corporate Strategy
When asked about changes in New Year's goods and dinner selections over the past two years, Sean identified three primary trends:
Health-Conscious Choices: A growing preference for low-sugar, organic, and functional foods tailored to specific dietary needs.
Experiential Dining: Increased popularity of interactive meal formats like hot pots and specialty desserts.
Emotional Value: A strong pull towards products with cultural and aesthetic appeal, such as those featuring traditional motifs.
For food companies, these shifts necessitate a dual strategic focus. "First, companies must proactively and clearly label product information to rebuild and effectively communicate trust with consumers," Sean advised. "Second, product R&D needs to pivot towards technological breakthroughs that deliver authentic ingredients, better nutritional retention, and reduced oil, salt, and sugar content."
As the prepared dish sector matures, building and maintaining consumer trust through quality, transparency, and innovation will be the primary task for companies aiming to succeed in this competitive and evolving market.
About CIC
CIC is a professional consulting firm offering tailored end-to-end support across the full investment and financing lifecycle. The firm boasts a world-leading track record in guiding landmark first-in-sector IPOs across global markets, alongside unrivaled reach and in-depth coverage capabilities across specialized niche market segments.
CIC helps enterprises refine scalable business models and craft compelling capital narratives to enable seamless access to global capital markets, while serving as a trusted due diligence partner to investment institutions. It delivers granular industry insights and direct access to subject matter experts, empowering clients to identify high-value opportunities and mitigate critical risks effectively.
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