The future of the Chinese market promises impressive growth rates: The population (1.3 billion) is growing by 10 million people a year. Of these, about 50 million households currently count as middle class. According to estimates, the average annual income will have doubled to about $18,000 by 2010 and create a strong rise in the standard of living, which in any case is already approaching Western standards in the cities. This is noticeable in that a quite considerable number of consumers are prepared to accept a price for organic food that is 50 to 300 per cent above conventional products.

A larger number of retail trade concepts are profiting from the growing demand. National stores like Planck Organic or Lohao City and international chains like Carrefour offer organic products. In many cases, however, they are forced to import brand products from abroad, because the local organic companies do not yet have a suitably large range to satisfy consumers' wishes.