The Rise of Food Parks and Central Kitchens in China

Food

In China, growing wealth and fast-paced urban living are changing how people live and eat. With busy schedules and a focus on food safety, more people are shifting away from traditional sit-down meals at restaurants and family dining tables, and turning to affordable ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook meals. 

These meals are popping up everywhere, from convenience stores, supermarkets, e-commerce sites, and even social media livestreams. Award events are even held to celebrate popular dishes and the novel ways they recreate and deliver traditional cuisines. According to a report by Statista¹, the Ready-to-Eat Meals market in China is predicted to hit a whopping $148.9 billion in 2024 and grow 8.48% annually for the next five years.

In this booming industry, food parks are the perfect instruments to seize opportunities in the market.  

Not to confuse them with festivals or food events, food parks are industrial hubs where the entire food supply chain comes together under one roof, from refineries, mills and packing plants to food manufacturers and restaurants, making it easier to produce on a large scale and cut costs.

Layout of our Food Park Ecosystem in Hangzhou.

Since 1990, Wilmar has been involved in China's agri-commodities scene, starting with the production of edible oils and expanding widely to oilseed crushing, flour and rice milling and the manufacture of noodles and condiments. With 80 manufacturing sites across China, we are able to build top-notch food parks that streamline ingredient supply, processing, and distribution to deliver high-quality, affordable, and safe food products. 

Our food park in Langfang started operations in November 2023.

Food parks are game-changers in the industry, surpassing the constraints of traditional manufacturing setups. With their extensive resources and state-of-the-artfacilities, they offer far more than just mass production. These innovative hubs are designed for versatility, enabling the creation of a diverse array of products and pushing the boundaries of what food manufacturing can achieve.

Our own brand of Central Kitchens, WKitchen, whips up a diverse menu to cater to all kinds of tastes and dietary needs. From student-friendly meals and convenient lunch boxes to microwaveable eats, seasoning sauces, hot pot bases, and a variety of rice and noodle dishes – there is something for every demographic. 

Here's an inside look at our Central Kitchen in Hangzhou:

In collaboration with Yangzhou University, Wilmar’s China subsidiary, Yihai Kerry Arawana, set up the Arawana International Culinary Research Institute to merge cutting-edge science with culinary artistry. Here, top chefs and food scientists join forces to reimagine traditional dishes with a modern twist, tailored to local tastes. This fusion of innovation and tradition has resulted in simplified versions of beloved classics like braised pork balls in brown sauce, making it effortless for home cooks to savour delicious, time-honoured meals with just a few simple steps.

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