The Top 12 Food Distributors in China in 2025

China's food and beverage (F&B) market is one of the largest and most dynamic in the world, with a market size of approximately RMB 11.71 trillion (US$1.67 trillion) in 2023. This market continues to grow at a rate of around 7.38% annually, driven by rapid urbanization, rising consumer income, and evolving dietary preferences. As more consumers become health-conscious, demand for premium, organic, and functional foods is on the rise. E-commerce is also transforming the way food is purchased, with online sales projected to account for 10% of total F&B revenue by 2024.

However, foreign companies entering this competitive market face significant challenges. These include navigating complex regulatory environments, managing logistics, and adapting to the fast-changing preferences of Chinese consumers. In this context, food distributors play a critical role. They not only help businesses penetrate the market but also offer deep local expertise, logistical support, and access to extensive retail and e-commerce networks. Identifying the right distributors is key to success in China’s vast and varied food landscape.

Advantages of Working with Food Distributors in China

Extensive Networks:

Distributors provide access to a broad range of sales channels, including retailers, wholesalers, and e-commerce platforms, ensuring quick market penetration.

Local Expertise:

With deep knowledge of consumer preferences and regional trends, distributors help tailor products to fit local demands, enhancing brand appeal.

Regulatory Support:

Navigating China’s complex regulations is easier with distributors who understand local compliance and certification requirements, ensuring smoother market entry.

Logistical Efficiency:

Distributors often manage advanced cold-chain logistics, warehousing, and transportation, ensuring timely deliveries and reducing product loss.

Cost-Effective Entry:

Partnering with distributors eliminates the need for setting up a local presence, saving costs on imports, storage, and distribution processes.

Boosted Sales:

Distributors are incentivized by commission structures, pushing them to expand your product’s reach and drive higher sales through their established relationships.

Challenges of Working with Food Distributors in China

While distributors offer many benefits, there are challenges to consider. Regulatory complexity is a major hurdle, as China’s laws and compliance requirements can be difficult to navigate. Cultural and communication barriers can also affect partnerships, especially if there are misunderstandings about market expectations. Additionally, some distributors may focus on competing brands, leading to reduced attention on your products. Exclusive rights agreements can limit control over sales strategies, and success often depends heavily on the distributor’s performance, making it essential to choose the right partner.

How to Find a Food Distributor in China

Trade Shows & Exhibitions:

Events like SIAL and FHC offer great opportunities to meet distributors in person. These events showcase a wide variety of food products and allow direct conversations with potential partners.

Referrals & Networking:

Leveraging industry contacts or local partners can help you connect with reputable distributors. Networking at business events and seminars is also a valuable way to find reliable recommendations.

Third-Party Services:

Many foreign companies hire third-party agencies to identify and vet distributors. These agencies offer market analysis and help connect you with the right distribution partners.

Tmall B2D Platform:

Tmall's B2D service connects brands with 85,000 distributors, but many companies still prefer face-to-face or third-party methods to establish more reliable partnerships.

Online Platforms (Limited Effectiveness):

While online platforms like Alibaba or Made-in-China are useful for finding suppliers, they are less reliable for locating qualified food distributors. The success rate through these directories tends to be low.

Chambers of Commerce (Limited Effectiveness):

Though they offer valuable insights, chambers of commerce and industry associations are not always the best resources for finding direct distribution contacts in China.

How We Chose Our Top Chinese Food Distributors

To compile our list of the top Chinese food distributors, we enlisted the help of GourmetPro’s local experts, who provided valuable on-the-ground insights. They evaluated several key criteria, including market presence, distribution network size, product range, financial stability, and each distributor’s reputation for customer service and reliability. Additionally, they assessed the distributors’ efforts in innovation and sustainability within the Chinese market. Our experts carefully narrowed down the list to ensure we present the most trusted and impactful food distributors in China for 2025.

The Top 12 Food Distributors in China in 2025

12 - Beijing Shunxin Agriculture Co., Ltd.

Beijing Shunxin Agriculture, founded in 1998, is a state-owned distributor specializing in fresh produce, meat, and dairy products. The company serves supermarkets, hotels, and wholesale markets across northern China. Known for its extensive cold-chain logistics, Shunxin ensures timely distribution of perishable goods, supporting the nation’s food security goals. It focuses primarily on agricultural products and is a key player in regional food distribution.

• Headquarters: Beijing, China
• Number of centers in the country: 10
• Products distributed: Meat, fresh produce, dairy
• Website: shunxinagri.com

11 - Zhengzhou Sinri Food Co., Ltd.

Founded in 2003, Zhengzhou Sinri Food is a privately-owned distributor specializing in frozen foods, including meat, seafood, and ready-to-cook products. The company operates across central China, serving restaurants, hotels, and catering services. Sinri's advanced cold storage facilities ensure product safety and freshness, making it a trusted name in the foodservice industry.

• Headquarters: Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
• Number of centers in the country: 12
• Products distributed: Frozen meat, seafood, ready-to-cook items
• Website: sinrifoody.com

10 - Xiamen C&D Corporation Limited

Xiamen C&D Corporation, established in 1980, is a state-owned enterprise with a large food distribution arm. It distributes agricultural products, grains, and packaged food, primarily serving the food processing industry and wholesalers. The company has strong ties with agricultural cooperatives and continues to grow its reach across multiple provinces.

• Headquarters: Xiamen, Fujian Province, China
• Number of centers in the country: 15
• Products distributed: Grains, packaged food, agricultural goods
• Website: cndgroup.com

9 - Chengdu Xindadi Co., Ltd.

Chengdu Xindadi, founded in 1995, focuses on distributing fresh vegetables, fruits, and grains. The company primarily serves wholesale markets, foodservice operators, and retailers in southwestern China. Xindadi’s reputation for quality products and its strong relationship with regional farmers make it a key player in the market.

• Headquarters: Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
• Number of centers in the country: 17
• Products distributed: Fresh vegetables, fruits, grains
• Website: xindadigroup.cn

8 - Shanghai SY Food Distribution Co., Ltd.

Established in 2001, Shanghai SY Food specializes in distributing frozen and fresh food products to hotels, restaurants, and institutional clients in the Yangtze River Delta region. It focuses on seafood, meat, and dairy, maintaining high standards of food safety and supply chain efficiency.

• Headquarters: Shanghai, China
• Number of centers in the country: 18
• Products distributed: Frozen seafood, meat, dairy
• Website: syfood.com.cn

7 - Hunan Jinjian Cereals Industry Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1998, Hunan Jinjian specializes in distributing rice and cereals. A state-owned enterprise, it ensures staple food availability across central and southern China, serving retailers, food processors, and wholesalers. Jinjian’s extensive logistics system supports bulk distribution, making it a reliable partner in China’s F&B supply chain.

• Headquarters: Changsha, Hunan Province, China
• Number of centers in the country: 20
• Products distributed: Rice, cereals, grains
• Website: jinjianrice.com

6 - Shenzhen Pagoda Industrial Group

Shenzhen Pagoda, founded in 2001, is a major distributor of fresh fruits across China. It operates wholesale and retail networks, supplying fresh fruits to supermarkets and hotels. Pagoda’s focus on high-quality products, including imported fruits, has made it a trusted partner for premium retailers.

• Headquarters: Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
• Number of centers in the country: 22
• Products distributed: Fresh fruits
• Website: pagoda.com.cn

5 - New Hope Group

New Hope Group, established in 1982, is a private agribusiness giant distributing poultry, livestock, and dairy products. It serves wholesale markets, foodservice providers, and food processors across China. New Hope’s extensive distribution network supports its role as a leading supplier of quality food products.

• Headquarters: Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
• Number of centers in the country: 25
• Products distributed: Poultry, livestock, dairy
• Website: newhopegroup.com

4 - Zhengzhou Sinri Food Co., Ltd.

Zhengzhou Sinri Food, founded in 2003, is a well-established distributor specializing in frozen foods, including meat and seafood. It has expanded significantly, serving foodservice businesses across central China and maintaining over 30 distribution centers.

• Headquarters: Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
• Number of centers in the country: 30
• Products distributed: Frozen meats, seafood, ready-to-cook items
• Website: sinri.com

3 - COFCO (China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation)

Founded in 1949, COFCO is China’s largest state-owned food distributor. The company manages the distribution of grains, oils, and processed foods both domestically and internationally. COFCO’s extensive logistics network allows it to reach even the most remote regions of China.

• Headquarters: Beijing, China
• Number of centers in the country: 35
• Products distributed: Grains, oils, processed foods
• Website: cofco.com

2 - Sinodis

Founded in 1996, Sinodis is a leading distributor of premium imported food products. The company supplies dairy, bakery, and gourmet products to hotels, restaurants, and high-end retailers. Its commitment to food safety and quality makes it a preferred partner for international brands.

• Headquarters: Shanghai, China
• Number of centers in the country: 40
• Products distributed: Dairy, bakery products, gourmet foods
• Website: sinodis.com

1 - JD Fresh

JD Fresh, part of JD.com’s logistics division, has quickly become China’s top-ranked food distributor since its founding in 2015. The company focuses on distributing fresh produce, seafood, meat, and dairy. JD Fresh’s robust cold-chain logistics system ensures timely delivery to consumers and retailers across the country.

• Headquarters: Beijing, China
• Number of centers in the country: 50
• Products distributed: Fresh produce, seafood, meat, dairy
• Website: fresh.jd.com

FAQs

1. Who are the leading 3 food distributors in China?

The leading food distributors in China are JD Fresh, Sinodis, and COFCO. JD Fresh, part of JD.com, is a major player in fresh produce, meat, and dairy distribution, backed by an extensive cold-chain logistics network. Sinodis specializes in premium imported foods like dairy, bakery, and gourmet products, serving high-end retailers and restaurants. COFCO, the largest state-owned distributor, handles the distribution of grains, oils, and processed foods both within China and internationally, leveraging its vast logistics infrastructure to cover even remote regions.

2. What are the 3 best routes to finding a food distributor in China?

The top three routes to finding a food distributor in China are trade shows and exhibitions, such as SIAL and FHC, where direct connections with distributors are made; referrals and networking through industry contacts and local partners; and third-party agencies, which offer market analysis and help match foreign companies with suitable distributors based on their products and needs.

3. What are some of the challenges of working with distributors in China?

Some challenges include navigating China’s complex regulatory environment, which requires local expertise; overcoming cultural and communication barriers, which can lead to misunderstandings; and the risk of exclusive agreements limiting your control over the distribution process. Success often depends on the distributor’s performance, making the selection of the right partner crucial for long-term growth.

Ready to Expand in China?

GourmetPro’s team is here to help with the entire process - from research to introductions and negotiations. With decades of experience in the Chinese market, our local experts ensure you find and partner with the best distributors for your products, minimizing risks and maximizing your market potential. Reach out today to get started!