Chinese canned food is selling well overseas, with export volume and value hitting record highs in recent years.

(CCTV Finance's Economic Information Broadcast) In recent years, Chinese canned food has been selling well overseas, with export volumes continuing to rise. In 2022, China's canned food exports increased by 12% and 22% year-on-year in volume and value respectively, both reaching record highs in recent years. China has been the world's largest producer and exporter of canned food for many years, accounting for about a quarter of global output. Why has this small canned food industry performed so well in the international market? What are the reasons behind its success?

During our visits, we learned that canned food, as one of the earliest industries in China to integrate with the international market, has been increasing its market share year by year, relying on its production scale and cost advantages. In recent years, China's canned food production technology has been continuously upgraded, especially the automation level of production lines, which has improved quality while reducing production costs, thus further expanding the export advantages of canned food.

Data shows that in the past year, more than 500 patent applications related to canned food have been filed nationwide, covering aspects such as sterilization, disinfection, cleaning, sorting, and sealing. In the first two months of 2023, China exported a total of 523,300 tons of various canned foods, with export value reaching US$1.22 billion, representing year-on-year increases of 10% and 23% respectively.

In addition to developing new markets, the export volume of ready-to-eat canned food, including Chinese cuisine canned food and nutritional health canned food, has increased significantly in the past two years, thanks to new technologies. More innovative food flavors are being packaged into cans and exported to countries around the world.