China’s Canned Food Industry: Stable Growth and Quality Upgrade in Global Markets

1. Export Volume Reaches New Heights
According to data from the China Canned Food Industry Association, In March 2025 alone, China’s canned food exports, exports reached approximately 227,600 tons, showing a significant rebound from February, underscoring China’s growing strength and stability in the global canned food supply chain.

2. More Diverse Products and Markets
China’s canned food exports now cover a wide range of categories — from traditional fruits and vegetables to fish, meat, ready-to-eat meals, and pet food.
Fruit and vegetable cans (such as peaches, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots) remain key exports, while fish cans, including mackerel and sardines, continue to gain traction in overseas markets.
Major export destinations include the United States, Japan, Germany, Canada, Indonesia, Australia, and the United Kingdom, as well as growing demand from Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Product trends show:
A rising demand for small packaging and convenient ready-to-eat formats, targeting younger consumers;
Health-oriented innovations, such as low-sugar, non-GMO, and plant-based canned products.

3. Industry Upgrade and Competitive Strengths
On the manufacturing side, many Chinese producers are adopting automated production lines, obtaining international certifications (ISO, HACCP, BRC), and enhancing quality management systems.
These improvements have strengthened China’s competitiveness in terms of cost-effectiveness, product diversity, and supply reliability.
Meanwhile, the industry is shifting from quantity-driven exports toward quality and brand development, focusing on customized, high-value products suited for retail and private label markets.

Overall, China’s canned food sector is steadily advancing toward higher efficiency, better quality, and broader global influence — a clear sign of transformation from “Made in China” to “Created in China.”