"Once a Daily Staple for Price and Taste, China's National Side Dish Faces Rapid Decline"

Room-temperature Sausage Sales Continue to Drop
Decline Continues After Peaking in 2015
Replaced by Chilled Fresh Meat Sausages and Others

Room-temperature sausages, once considered a “national side dish” in China, are now declining due to changes in consumer eating habits and other factors.

On September 9, China’s Lanjing News reported, “Ham and sausages, once representative fast foods known as national side dishes thanks to their low price and easy preparation, have seen annual sales declines among major companies in recent years.”

Photo for article understanding. Pixabay.

Leading Companies Withdraw Amid Falling Consumer Demand

Sausage sold in China. Official Weibo of Enjoy Food China.

The media noted that as prominent companies have begun withdrawing from the market, the industry landscape has shifted significantly after twenty years of stability. Despite efforts by these companies to upgrade products and increase prices, they have been unable to stem the drop in consumer demand.

Shuanghui, Jinluo, and Yurun have long been cited as China’s top three companies in the sector. However, according to Yurun’s recently announced results for the first half of this year, the company has chosen not to renew the lease agreements for its meat processing plants and plans to completely wind down its related production lines and business soon.

Shuanghui reached its industry peak in 2013, recording sales of 15.7 billion yuan from high-temperature processed meat products. Packaged meat product sales reached a high of 1.586 million tons in 2020, but have declined every year since, dropping to 1.4143 million tons in 2024 and 1.3611 million tons in 2025. Shuanghui’s meat products division is expected to post sales of 23.527 billion yuan in 2025, a 5.09% decrease from the previous year.

Changing Consumption Patterns: Shift to Fresh and Chilled Sausages

Room temperature sausages sold in China. Baidu China.

According to retail market research data from Euromonitor International, the retail market for room-temperature sausages in China peaked at around 48 billion yuan in 2015, after which it entered a downward trend.

In the past, consumers prioritized convenience and cost-effectiveness, often overlooking the freshness, meat content, or ingredient quality. However, with recent changes in eating habits and consumption standards, demand for healthier and higher-quality products has increased, leading to a shift toward fresh meat and chilled sausages.

In particular, low-temperature grilled sausages and chilled fresh meat sausages have shown rapid growth in the processed meat market. Their ease of refrigerated storage, shorter shelf life, and higher meat content fit well with current consumer trends. They are being used more frequently in a variety of settings, such as home-cooked meals, barbecues, breakfast, and as simple snacks.

The media added, “The consumer base for room-temperature ham sausages is increasingly fixed and aging. The purchasing power of younger consumers is weak, and new demand for these products has nearly dried up.” Nevertheless, room-temperature ham sausages that have been bestsellers for over twenty years are unlikely to disappear completely. According to the article, “Because they do not require refrigeration, are versatile, and offer great value, these products are expected to retain their presence in the low-end market, at street stalls, and in cafeterias.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.