Reference News Network January 7 report, according to the Spanish "Economist" website on January 5, China's expansion in the global caviar market is a reflection of a broader trend: China is committed to transforming a series of traditionally high-end ingredients into mass consumer goods. This process integrates economic ambition, national support, and industrial scale-up, not only breaking the original industry balance but also drawing attention from other global producers.
This phenomenon occurs against the backdrop of continuously escalating international trade tensions.
Previously, disputes in the field of international trade were mainly concentrated on industrial manufactured goods such as automobiles, steel, and solar panels. However, according to the British Financial Times, China has quietly been making advances in a more hidden yet highly symbolic area: the premium food market represented by caviar.
Caviar has long been a delicacy reserved for the elite class. This exclusive market positioning remained largely unchanged for a long time.
At the end of the 20th century, the overfishing of wild sturgeon led to their near extinction, which completely changed the industry landscape, and aquaculture became a sustainable alternative. This shift not only created opportunities for new entrants in the market but also drove a complete restructuring of the entire industry.
Initially, European and American companies dominated the caviar aquaculture sector. In recent years, however, under the support of relevant policies of the Chinese government, local enterprises have risen strongly. The most representative is the brand Caruga Caviar, which has now become the top-selling caviar brand globally.
With the advantages of large-scale production and cost control, China now controls half to two-thirds of the global caviar supply. Some of these products are sold under Chinese domestic brands, while others are sold with European labels.
This strategy's impact goes beyond the single category of caviar. China is actively encouraging enterprises to replicate this model to other high-end ingredients such as salmon, wagyu beef, and truffles. Its goal is clear: to expand market supply, reduce product prices, and thus meet the growing global demand for high-end ingredients.
The report states that China's strong advancement in the high-end ingredient sector has triggered a chain reaction in the global market. To protect the interests of local farmers, European and American caviar producers have issued warnings that the market is facing severe price reduction pressure. At the same time, Western restaurants and consumers have benefited from increased supply of high-end ingredients and more affordable prices.
With the dual drivers of the expanding global high-net-worth population and the upgrading of the middle-income group's consumption, global caviar demand is growing at nearly 10% per year. In this context, China's market strategy aligns with the industry expansion trend and also promotes the reshaping of the concept of high-end food consumption.
The ultimate direction of this industry transformation remains unknown. European countries may follow the U.S. in implementing trade protection measures, or they may choose to observe due to the limited macroeconomic impact of the high-end food industry. Meanwhile, traditional caviar-producing countries are caught between cooperating with China and defending their local industries.
No matter what, the development trajectory of the caviar industry reflects a more profound change. This ingredient, once symbolizing exclusivity and prestige, is gradually moving towards the mass consumer market. This shift not only demonstrates China's economic rise but also reflects the reshaping of cultural symbols related to luxury in an increasingly interconnected world.(Translation by Han Chao)
Original source: toutiao.com/article/7592480101229412905/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.