Packaged Food in Hangzhou

Key Findings

High popularity of local specialties captures sales

West Lake lotus root powder, frozen lotus seed, lotus pastry and local specialties with traditional flavours are very popular among both locals and tourists. Tourists have a strong interest in packaged food with local flavours and specialties as souvenirs.

Strong demand from locals for small walnut and mixed nuts

Lin’an district is famous for growing small walnuts and often named the “country of small walnuts”. Small walnuts are good for brain development due to being rich in protein, fibre, magnesium, and vitamins B and E, so that local people enjoy small walnuts in daily life given the close proximity to strong supply. Pursuit of health also drives demand for mixed nuts with different nutrient values.

Local brands penetrate the market with product diversification

Local brands take market share by providing regional flavours and quick response to local customers’ demand. With the knowledge of regional differences, providing diversified product lines of local dairy products and snacks for customers is the key to success for local brands. Local restaurants also leverage their strong brand presence and sell their private label packaged food in the market.

Extensive products with tea infusion and osmanthus

Hangzhou is home to many tea lovers, with its deep-rooted history of over 1,000 years. One of the most highly rated teas is Longjing. In spite of the popularity of tea flavour, sweet osmanthus is the representative plant of Hangzhou. To cater to the favourite tastes of locals, many packaged snacks made from tea or osmanthus are on sale.