Top Beverage Trends in China 2025: Sourcing Guide for Importers

aubreyhuang2021
Apr 16
5 min read

Updated: May 21

Sourcing-ready drinks, OEM opportunities, and sustainable packaging trends – straight from China’s biggest F&B trade event.

If you're sourcing beverages, alcohol, or packaging from China, this 2025 guide is essential reading. Our China team attended the China Food & Drinks Fair (CFDF) in March—China’s most influential event in the food and beverage sector—and returned with first-hand insights on the products, trends, and innovations ready for the global market.

Whether you're seeking ready-to-sell beverages, OEM production partners, or the latest in sustainable and design-driven packaging, this report has you covered. Here's a breakdown of the most promising categories for importers worldwide.

Slide to see more photos. Photography by The China Genie in Chengdu, China, March 2025.

Craft Beer: Import Opportunities from China's Mature Market

China's craft beer market has matured significantly over the past 8 years, offering a diverse range of high-quality brands with loyal followings. While large domestic lager producers are entering the craft beer space, niche breweries continue to drive innovation with unique small-batch offerings.

Why this matters for importers: Chinese craft breweries utilize local ingredients, experiment with diverse brewing techniques, and develop distinct regional identities, making their beers increasingly attractive for export. This presents a significant opportunity for importers looking for unique and authentic craft beer products.

Top Sourcing Tip: Look for breweries with existing export licenses and the capability to handle small-batch bottling for flexible import options. Consider breweries specialising in specific styles like IPAs, stouts, or lagers, or those using unique Chinese ingredients.

Whisky: Domestic Brands Going Premium (and Global)

Once dominated by imports, China's whisky scene is now seeing local brands priced above some international labels. Distilleries are refining their craft and earning international respect.

Why this matters for importers: These new-generation whiskies are still relatively unknown globally—making now the perfect time to import and capitalise on their emerging popularity.

Top Sourcing Tip: Partner with distillers that can offer compelling origin stories, unique aging techniques, and small-batch exclusives to differentiate your offerings.

Low-Sugar & Functional Drinks: Health-Conscious Beverages for a Global Market

Young consumers in China, especially women, are demanding drinks with less sugar and more functional benefits—think collagen, vitamins, or clean energy.

Why this matters for importers: These wellness-forward beverages are on-trend in international markets, making them easy to localise and sell to health-conscious consumers worldwide.

Top Sourcing Tip: Choose suppliers with clear nutritional claims, attractive packaging, and export-ready certifications to ensure compliance with international regulations.

Fruit Juices: Premiumisation and Innovation in the Juice Aisle

Fruit juices are evolving fast in China. New blends, organic ingredients, and sustainable packaging are helping brands push into the premium tier.

Why this matters for importers: A reliable category now upgraded for health-conscious and eco-aware global consumers offers exciting import potential.

Top Sourcing Tip: Look for compelling stories that link the product to local farms or rare ingredients to boost shelf appeal and resonate with consumers abroad.

Gin: China's Emerging Craft Gin Scene

Gin is riding the post-whisky wave in China, with new domestic labels focused on local botanicals and modern aesthetics.

Why this matters for importers: Stylish, mixology-ready gins with unique flavor profiles are growing favourites in boutique bars worldwide, presenting an opportunity to introduce exciting new gins to your market.

Top Sourcing Tip: Seek out distilleries blending Chinese herbs or teas into their recipes for a unique market edge. Look for distilleries that emphasise quality ingredients and modern distillation techniques.

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Carbonated & Sparkling Drinks: Innovation in Flavours and Packaging

Sparkling beverages in China combine bold flavor experiments with eye-catching packaging. Urban consumers love trying them—and so might yours.

Why this matters for importers: These products shine in trendy convenience retail and social media-driven consumption, offering a vibrant and visually appealing product category.

Top Sourcing Tip: Short-run seasonal SKUs can test the waters in your local market with minimal risk. Look for suppliers offering flexible MOQs and innovative flavor combinations.

Flavoured Beer: A Fast-Growing Segment with Export Potential

Flavored beers are surging in popularity, especially with younger women. But with inconsistent quality in the market, sourcing the right brand is key.

Why this matters for importers: This segment offers big volume potential in lifestyle-led markets but needs careful vetting to ensure consistent quality and taste.

Top Sourcing Tip: Prioritise breweries with robust export QC processes and steady core SKUs to maintain product consistency and meet international standards.

Kombucha: Untapped Potential for Global Markets

Still niche in China, kombucha is often misunderstood as “sparkling juice.” But that means less competition—perfect for co-developing export-focused formulas.

Why this matters for importers: High-value, health-focused, and underexploited in China—kombucha offers a unique opportunity for brand-building overseas.

Top Sourcing Tip: Source from cafés or startup brewers open to OEM or white-label collaborations to develop unique kombucha products tailored for your target market.

Coconut Water: Leveraging Premium Packaging and Brand Storytelling

The product is stable; the differentiation lies in the packaging and brand story. China’s coconut water brands are competing on look and feel.

Why this matters for importers: Ideal for wellness, gym, or yoga lifestyle branding internationally, offering a visually appealing and healthy product.

Top Sourcing Tip: Look for export-ready lines with lifestyle visuals and eco-friendly packaging to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

Rebranded Heritage: Bridging Tradition and Modern Trends

Old brands are getting facelifts—redesigning labels, simplifying flavours, and connecting with Gen Z buyers.

Why this matters for importers: These products carry a rich history but now fit on a modern shelf, making them great for curated retail or themed collections, offering a unique blend of tradition and modernity.

Product Line Extensions & OEM Innovation: Collaborative Opportunities

Many Chinese brands are ready to expand beyond their hero product. For global importers, this opens doors to collaborative product development.

Why this matters for importers: Co-creating private label or OEM lines with established local producers can be a fast-track to market, allowing you to leverage existing expertise and infrastructure.

Sustainable Packaging: A Key Differentiator in the Global Market

From Guochao (national trend, 国潮) visuals to minimalist eco-friendly bottles, packaging in China is more than a wrapper—it’s a selling tool.

Why this matters for importers: Packaging is your shelf weapon. Chinese suppliers are now offering premium design with flexible MOQs, allowing you to create visually appealing and sustainable products.

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Final Takeaways for Importers

Diverse & Export-Ready: China’s beverage scene offers variety, innovation, and growing export capabilities.
Due Diligence is Key: Vet products carefully for consistency, certifications, and supply chain strength.
Think Story, Not Just SKU: Products with a compelling narrative and strong design edge will win in global markets.

Ready to Source from China?

Our team at The China Genie has boots on the ground, deep supplier relationships, and a sharp eye for what sells globally. Whether you're looking for ready-to-sell products, OEM partnerships, or sustainable packaging options—we can help.