Core Insights - The pre-prepared meal market in China is projected to reach 485 billion yuan in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 33.8% [1] - The controversy surrounding pre-prepared meals is driven by consumer perceptions and the industry's growing industrialization [1] Consumer Concerns - The primary complaint from consumers is that pre-prepared meals are perceived as "not tasty," as traditional cooking methods are deeply ingrained in Chinese culinary culture [3][9] - Many consumers resort to pre-prepared meals due to time constraints, indicating a demand for convenience despite taste concerns [4][6] - There is a significant issue with transparency, as many restaurants do not disclose that they serve pre-prepared meals, leading to feelings of being overcharged [6][10] Industry Perspectives - Industry experts acknowledge that the taste and quality of pre-prepared meals are often seen as inferior, but they argue that definitions of "delicious" can vary [9][12] - The definition of pre-prepared meals is often misunderstood by consumers, leading to confusion about what constitutes a pre-prepared meal [10] - The market for pre-prepared meals is expected to continue growing, with a potential split in the restaurant industry between freshly cooked and convenient pre-prepared options [13][16] Regulatory Developments - The upcoming national standards for pre-prepared meals aim to clarify definitions and improve food safety regulations, which could enhance consumer trust [14][15] - There is a call for better industry self-regulation and transparency to address consumer concerns about food safety and quality [15] Market Trends - The pre-prepared meal sector is experiencing rapid growth, with approximately 28,000 related companies in China and a 120.43% increase in new registrations last year [13] - The market penetration of pre-prepared meals in China is currently between 10% to 15%, indicating significant room for growth compared to over 60% in developed countries [16]

Core Insights - In 2025, Weifang's private economy achieved remarkable results, adding 5 companies to China's top 500 private enterprises, 32 to Shandong's top 200, and 9 to China's manufacturing top 500, contributing 60% of the city's GDP, 70% of investments, and 80% of tax revenue [1] - Weifang's industrial enterprises reached 4,758, with a total output value exceeding 1.2 trillion yuan, and the agricultural sector leading the province in total output [1] - The city's success is attributed to a "partnership model" between government and enterprises, fostering an environment where businesses feel supported and empowered to innovate [1] Group 1: Government-Enterprise Relationship - Weifang emphasizes respect for businesses, establishing an "Entrepreneur's Day" to ensure that entrepreneurs can directly communicate their issues to government officials [3] - The government adopts a "no red tape" approach, streamlining processes such as issuing multiple permits simultaneously, significantly reducing bureaucratic delays [4] - The local government actively engages with businesses, treating them as partners rather than mere resources, which enhances trust and collaboration [5] Group 2: Supportive Infrastructure - Weifang has implemented reforms to facilitate business operations, including a "financial supermarket" that connects companies with banks and financing options, resulting in a loan balance of 386.6 billion yuan for private enterprises [4] - The government provides customized support for land and talent, ensuring that businesses have the necessary resources to grow and expand [4] - The city has developed a robust industrial ecosystem, encouraging collaboration among companies and educational institutions to drive innovation and reduce costs [4][5] Group 3: Global Expansion and Economic Cycle - Weifang encourages businesses to expand internationally, creating platforms for overseas sales and logistics support, which helps local companies thrive in global markets [5] - The cycle of "going global - making profits - upgrading" is established, where successful enterprises reinvest in the local economy, fostering further growth [5] - The partnership model between government and enterprises leads to mutual success, with the government supporting innovative projects and businesses willing to take risks [5]

Core Insights - The article discusses a unique small restaurant in Chengdu that exclusively sells pre-packaged and semi-finished foods, challenging the prevailing negative perceptions of pre-prepared meals in the industry [5][10][20] - The owner, Ge Shixian, views the establishment as an experiment rather than a profit-driven business, aiming to explore consumer attitudes towards industrial food and pre-prepared meals [5][14][20] Summary by Sections Restaurant Concept - The restaurant operates for only three hours a day, offering items like hot dry noodles for 2 yuan and the most expensive dish for 13 yuan, attracting a loyal customer base [5][14] - Ge Shixian, the owner, identifies as an "industrial food blogger" and has a background in food processing, which informs his approach to the restaurant [3][10] Industry Trends - The restaurant serves as a microcosm for observing trends in the food industry, particularly the growing acceptance of pre-prepared meals among younger consumers [5][16] - A survey by the China Hotel Association indicates that 61.5% of respondents are willing to frequently purchase pre-prepared meals, a significant increase from previous years [16][20] Consumer Perception - Ge Shixian has developed methods to distinguish between freshly made and pre-prepared dishes, suggesting that poor taste may often be associated with freshly cooked meals due to a lack of culinary skill [7][10] - The article highlights a shift in consumer attitudes, with younger generations showing a natural acceptance of industrial food products, provided they are affordable and of good quality [16][20] Market Growth - The pre-prepared food market in China reached 361.6 billion yuan in 2023, with an annual growth rate of 20%-35%, projected to reach 749 billion yuan by 2026 [20] - The increasing standardization and transparency in food production processes are reshaping Chinese dining culture and consumer preferences [20]

Core Insights - The debate between Luo Yonghao and Jia Guolong highlights the confusion surrounding the definition of "pre-made dishes" in the Chinese restaurant industry, reflecting a gap in understanding between industry practitioners and consumers [1][2][3] - The evolution of the Chinese dining industry from a "blue ocean" to a "red ocean" is marked by increased competition and changing consumer perceptions, making pre-made dishes a key tool for scaling Chinese restaurant brands [3][4] Industry Overview - The restaurant industry was thriving 20 years ago with freshly cooked dishes being popular due to low costs and high profits, while pre-made dishes were primarily associated with Western fast-food chains like McDonald's [3] - The shift towards central kitchens is seen as essential for modernizing the restaurant industry, allowing for reduced labor and space requirements, decreased waste, and improved efficiency, aligning with fast-paced lifestyles [3][4] - The "Xibei incident" has exposed a significant disconnect between how businesses view central kitchens as a pre-processing step and how consumers categorize anything that is not freshly cooked as "pre-made dishes," leading to a crisis of trust [3][4] Consumer Behavior - The essence of Chinese cuisine lies in its "wok energy" and cultural significance, which pre-made dishes struggle to replicate, indicating a complex relationship between modern dining practices and traditional culinary values [4] - The ongoing discourse around food choices and dining experiences is fueled by recent controversies, such as the Xibei pre-made dish dispute, which has sparked public interest and debate [6]

Core Insights - The pre-prepared food industry is experiencing a resurgence in capital enthusiasm, with the equal-weight index for pre-prepared foods reaching an annual high of 1081.99, reflecting strong performance across all 31 constituent stocks [1][3] - The market structure shows that approximately 70% of the pre-prepared food market share is concentrated in the B-end, while the C-end market faces challenges due to food safety and consumer awareness issues [1][10] - The recent controversies surrounding the industry have prompted the establishment of national food safety standards, which could clarify consumer perceptions and expand the C-end market [1][10] Market Performance - From November 1 to 12, all constituent stocks in the pre-prepared food index showed positive growth, with notable performances from companies like Baba Foods and Huifa Foods, which saw monthly increases of 24.63% and 15.90%, respectively [3][4] - Guangdong-based companies performed steadily, with Guolian Aquatic Products and Guangzhou Restaurant showing increases of 4.82% and 1.59% [3] Company Analysis - Baba Foods, which started with buns, has expanded its franchise model significantly, reaching 5,934 stores by Q3 2025, with a single-store revenue of 67,500 yuan, indicating strong growth potential [5] - Huifa Foods is focusing on international expansion, achieving a 71.77% increase in overseas revenue, amounting to 8.4451 million yuan, and has established a strategic partnership with the University of Malaya [6] - The financial performance of leading companies varies, with Shuanghui Development reporting a net profit of 3.959 billion yuan, while Guolian Aquatic Products faced significant losses of 799 million yuan [7][8] Industry Outlook - The pre-prepared food market in China is projected to reach 485 billion yuan in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 33.8%, and is expected to grow to 749 billion yuan by 2026 [10] - The C-end market's potential is anticipated to increase as consumer habits evolve, with major players like JD.com establishing dedicated pre-prepared food departments to enhance their market presence [10]

Core Insights - JD Retail has established a new Prepared Food Business Unit, elevating its strategic importance within the company and marking a significant shift towards self-branded product development in the prepared food sector [1][3] Group 1: Business Strategy - The new Prepared Food Business Unit will report directly to CEO Xu Ran, indicating a high-level commitment to this sector [1][3] - JD's previous efforts in the prepared food market date back to 2017, with ongoing collaborations with well-known restaurant brands from 2019 to 2023, aiming to create multiple billion-level sales brands within three years [1][3] - The focus will shift from category operations and brand partnerships to the development of proprietary branded products, emphasizing innovation in food technology and alignment with Chinese culinary culture [1][3] Group 2: Market Positioning - The prepared food unit will serve both B2C and B2B markets, providing supply support to offline stores like Qixian Supermarket and Huaguan Discount Supermarket, thus creating a multi-channel synergy [5] - This initiative aligns with the retail logic of "fresh food driving traffic, standard products generating profit," and accurately captures the industry trend of "B-end dominance, C-end acceleration" [5] Group 3: Logistics and Infrastructure - JD's mature cold chain system supports the development of prepared foods, with approximately 60 temperature-controlled cold chain warehouses dedicated to fresh, frozen, and refrigerated foods, covering an operational area of about 400,000 square meters as of June 30, 2025 [5] - The establishment of the Prepared Food Business Unit and the self-operated Qixian Kitchen will enhance the requirements for JD's cold chain systems, technology, and cost control, serving as a catalyst for accelerated upgrades [5]

南农晨读 | 万亩 方间 沃野流金_ 南方+_南方plus 家家户户厨房里 飘出的烟火气， 承载着中国人最 深厚的情感记 忆。而今，现代 工业文明带来的 预制菜，正悄然 改变着我们的餐 桌。而预制菜当 中的食品添加 剂，也让不少消 费者心生忧虑。 忧虑与发展并 存。据艾媒咨询 数据显示，2023 年中国预制菜市 场规模已达5165 亿元，预计2026 年将突破1万亿 元。在这场浩浩 荡荡的餐桌变革 中，食品添加 剂，这个既古老 又现代的存在， 正扮演着关键而 复杂的角色。 把农业建成现代 化大产业丨市委 书记抓乡村振兴 （2025.11.03- 11.09） 2025年11月3 日-9日，佛山推 进环两江先行区 建设，整合特色 文旅资源、培育 新业态；汕尾发 挥生态优势优化 旅游路线，加 快"土特 产"与"农文 旅"全链条发展 【今日关注】 十分钟再谈预制 菜之五：食品添 加剂，鲜美与健 康的平衡之道 以促农民增收； 中山提升岐江河 沿岸风貌并改造 游船码头，推 动"美丽 河"向"经济 河"转变；肇庆 统筹"土特产"开 发、农业全产业 链培育等工作， 走工农商旅并举 的特色化发展路 子；清远依托自 身优势发展 ...

截至11月10日收盘，预制菜概念上涨2.65%，位居概念板块涨幅第6，板块内，100股上涨，惠发食品、 巴比食品、浙江东日等涨停，盖世食品、君亭酒店、家家悦等涨幅居前，分别上涨8.78%、8.11%、 7.44%。跌幅居前的有大湖股份、百洋股份、千味央厨等，分别下跌0.49%、0.43%、0.07%。 今日涨跌幅居前的概念板块 | 概念 | 今日涨跌幅（%） | 概念 | 今日涨跌幅（%） | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 乳业 | 4.36 | 同花顺果指数 | -1.56 | | 培育钻石 | 3.46 | 铜缆高速连接 | -1.50 | | 白酒概念 | 3.01 | 无线充电 | -1.26 | | 天津自贸区 | 2.97 | 超导概念 | -1.24 | | 免税店 | 2.76 | 汽车热管理 | -1.15 | | 预制菜 | 2.65 | PEEK材料 | -1.07 | | 金属铅 | 2.53 | 富士康概念 | -0.99 | | 磷化工 | 2.48 | 中船系 | -0.98 | | 啤酒概念 | 2.48 | 高压快充 | -0.97 | | 小红书概 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the balance between flavor and health in the context of food additives used in the rapidly growing prepared food market in China, which is projected to exceed 1 trillion yuan by 2026 [4]. Group 1: Market Overview - The prepared food market in China reached 516.5 billion yuan in 2023 and is expected to surpass 1 trillion yuan by 2026, indicating rapid growth [4]. - Globally, the penetration rate of prepared foods exceeds 60% in Japan, with approximately 70% of restaurants in France using prepared ingredients [19][20]. - The European prepared food market is projected to approach 90 billion USD by 2024, while the U.S. market is estimated at 47.56 billion USD, with over 60% of Americans preferring dinner preparation times of under 30 minutes [21][22]. Group 2: Role of Food Additives - Food additives have a long history in Chinese cuisine, dating back to the Han Dynasty, and are essential for food preservation and flavor enhancement [5][26]. - The use of food additives allows for safer, diverse, and convenient food options in modern fast-paced lifestyles, acting as crucial support for food industrialization [16][17]. - In China, over 2,300 food additives are approved for use, with regulations specifying their applications and limits [34]. Group 3: Consumer Concerns and Regulatory Landscape - Despite their benefits, food additives often raise health concerns among consumers, with many associating them with negative health impacts [36]. - Recent food safety incidents have highlighted issues with illegal additives rather than the approved ones, emphasizing the need for better regulation and consumer education [40][41]. - In March 2023, Chinese authorities issued guidelines prohibiting preservatives in prepared foods, reflecting a consensus that home-cooked meals should not contain such additives [61][62]. Group 4: Future Directions - To ensure the future success of prepared foods, the industry must focus on stricter regulations, advanced technology, and greater transparency [80]. - Learning from international practices, such as Japan's "positive list" system for food additives, could enhance safety and consumer trust [48]. - Technological advancements, such as high-temperature cooking and liquid nitrogen freezing, are being utilized to ensure food safety without the need for preservatives [67][73].

Core Viewpoint - The development of county-level economies is a microcosmic practice of Chinese-style modernization, emphasizing the importance of these economies in national stability and growth [1][5]. Group 1: Strategic Importance of County Economies - County economies contribute approximately 40% to the national economic total, serving as fundamental units for economic development and social stability [1]. - The strategic value of county economies is highlighted in three dimensions: national strategic support, as seen in the leading role of 62 "billion-dollar counties"; as industrial transfer hubs; and as the foundation for food security [2][5]. - The integration of county economies into the national strategic framework positions them as key players in the dual circulation economic model, enhancing their role from peripheral to central [1][2]. Group 2: Development Strategies - The focus should be on leveraging local resource endowments to explore differentiated development paths, fostering specialized industrial clusters and enhancing innovation ecosystems [2][4]. - Counties should adopt a "one county, one policy" approach to develop unique industrial maps, promoting cluster and brand development [5]. - The integration of agriculture with e-commerce and tourism is essential for revitalizing rural economies and enhancing the value chain of agricultural products [4][5]. Group 3: Technological Integration and Modernization - The digital transformation of county economies is crucial, with the application of IoT, big data, and AI to enhance production efficiency and supply chain management [4][6]. - Counties are encouraged to create scenarios that deeply integrate digital and real economies, exemplified by the smart transformation of the electronic information industry in Kunshan [4]. - The adoption of new technologies is vital for upgrading traditional industries and developing green and emerging sectors [6]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The future of county economies lies in precise policy implementation and the establishment of long-term development tracks through mechanism design and platform building [5]. - As counties implement tailored strategies and deepen collaborative efforts, they are expected to exhibit greater resilience and vitality, contributing significantly to urban-rural integration and domestic demand [5].