Core Insights - The pre-made dish market for the Chinese New Year is projected to exceed 20 billion yuan in sales by 2025, with a year-on-year growth of over 50% [2] - However, a scandal in 2025 has led to increased consumer skepticism towards pre-made dishes, with 40% of surveyed respondents rejecting the idea of pre-made New Year's Eve dinners [2][3] - The market is experiencing a shift, with a projected growth of only 10% in 2026, indicating rising consumer demands and concerns about food safety [4] Consumer Sentiment - A survey revealed that 60.48% of respondents were influenced by the scandal when considering purchasing pre-made dishes for New Year's Eve [3][6] - The acceptance of pre-made dishes varies by type, with 66.19% accepting dim sum, 53.81% accepting cold dishes, and only 51.9% accepting desserts, while seafood and meat categories received less than 50% acceptance [4] Industry Trends - The number of pre-made dish-related companies in China exceeds 77,000, with over 12,000 new registrations in 2025 [7] - The industry is shifting from a focus on scale to value selection, as evidenced by a decline in average financing amounts from 150 million yuan in 2022 to 55 million yuan in 2023-2024 [7] - Regulatory measures are being introduced to standardize the industry, including a draft national standard for pre-made dishes expected to clarify definitions and safety regulations [6][7]

Core Insights - The pre-made meal market for the Chinese New Year is experiencing a transformation due to the dual pressures of convenience and food safety concerns, reflecting deeper industry dynamics and transitional pains [1][3] Market Trends - The sales of pre-made meals for the 2025 Chinese New Year exceeded 20 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of over 50% [1] - However, the market is facing challenges, with a projected growth of only about 10% for 2026, indicating a slowdown compared to previous years [7] Consumer Sentiment - A survey revealed that 60.48% of respondents were influenced by the 2025 food safety incident involving pre-made meals when considering their purchases [4] - Acceptance of pre-made meals for the New Year dinner is mixed, with 40% of respondents rejecting the idea, while 39.05% accepted it [5] Product Preferences - Consumers show a higher acceptance for pre-made snacks (66.19%), cold dishes (53.81%), and desserts (51.9%), while other categories like seafood and meat are less favored [7] Industry Challenges - The food safety incident has led many restaurants to emphasize freshly prepared meals, with a call for clearer industry standards [9] - The Chinese government is working on establishing national standards for pre-made meals to enhance food safety and industry regulation [9] Industry Landscape - There are over 77,000 existing pre-made meal companies in China, with more than 12,000 new registrations in 2025 [11] - The investment landscape has shifted from a focus on scale to value selection, with a significant drop in average financing amounts from 150 million yuan in 2022 to 55 million yuan in 2023-2024 [11]