Rice: Current status of rice consumption in China and outlook of rice cooking industry

摘要

In 2019, China produced 210 million tonnes of paddy (accounting for 28.9% of global production) and consumed 194 million tonnes (81.6% of which is for staple food). For about a thousand years, China has been eating rice as a staple food, and today, about two-thirds of the entire population (1.4 billion) are eating rice as staple food. As the standard of living improves in line with social and economic development, the need for rice consumption has shifted from an emphasis on quantity to taste, convenience, and health benefits. Particularly in urban areas, traditional home-cooked rice and home-made lunchbox practices have been gradually decreasing. Instead, the use of ready-made rice dishes or lunch at workplace are increasing.