Core Insights - The article discusses the evolving consumer behavior towards pre-prepared meals (pre-made dishes) during the Chinese New Year, highlighting a shift from traditional cooking to convenience-driven options [2][4][10] - The pre-made meal market has seen explosive growth during the holiday season, with significant increases in sales and consumer adoption [6][10][15] Consumer Trends - Traditional family meals during the New Year are increasingly being supplemented or replaced by pre-made dishes, reflecting a cultural shift in dining practices [3][9] - Over 60% of families opted for a "semi-cooking" approach, combining pre-made dishes with minimal home cooking during the holiday [6][10] Market Performance - Sales data indicates a remarkable surge in pre-made meal purchases, with platforms like Dingdong Maicai reporting a 180% year-on-year increase in sales for New Year meals [6][10] - Major e-commerce platforms such as JD and Taobao also reported significant growth in searches and sales for pre-made dishes, with some items seeing transaction amounts increase by 200-700% [6][10] Industry Regulation - The pre-made meal industry is on the verge of receiving its first national standards, which aims to address quality and safety concerns that have plagued the market [11][13][14] - The introduction of these standards is expected to enhance consumer trust and promote healthy competition among businesses [14][15] Future Outlook - The pre-made meal segment is anticipated to expand beyond festive occasions, potentially becoming a staple in everyday dining for younger consumers [10][15] - The market size for pre-made meals in China is projected to grow from 617.3 billion yuan in 2025 to 1,069.8 billion yuan by 2030, indicating a robust growth trajectory [10]
从争议到主流:预制菜的春节“翻身仗”
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2026-02-26 10:01