The prepared food section has always been the busiest area in foreign supermarkets. At Costco, lines for rotisserie chickens never end; at Whole Foods, the deli counter is packed to capacity. In China, this trend has finally caught on—and faster than anyone expected. Sam's Club's Swiss rolls and mochi, Hema's Hema Workshop offerings, and Pang Dong Lai's signature braised sausages and Korean-style fried chicken have all become key drivers of foot traffic for supermarkets.
Behind the traffic magic lies real money. After renovation, YH's deli sales jumped 387% year-over-year; Better Life saw an even steeper rise of 2077%. This isn't an isolated case—the entire industry is moving in this direction.
The question is, is the processing zone viable? Honestly, the barrier to entry is high. You need a reliable supply chain, standardized products, and consistent output capabilities. For many small and medium-sized supermarkets, developing their own R&D and building central kitchens requires too much investment and has an excessively long payback period. This creates a dilemma: you know the right direction, but can't move forward.
More and more supermarkets are now partnering directly with source suppliers to access ready-made standardized semi-finished and finished products. The Supermarket & Retail Expo Hangzhou opens on 8/19. The 3R Food section features 22 source factories, covering baking, bakery items, and cooked deli meats. Buyers can conduct all negotiations in one place, saving time that would otherwise be spent visiting multiple factories. Below is a breakdown of exhibitor information and industry insights.
How powerful is the processing area? Let the data speak.
Let's take a look at some data to gauge the momentum in this sector.
• Yonghui renovated stores saw a year-over-year increase in cooked food sales of over387%In the modified Buguotiao store, the cooked food section sees a surge in sales.2077%
• Pang Dong Lai sold in 2025 year235 billionReady-to-eat foods are the core traffic driver.
• China Chain Store and Franchise Association data: The share of supermarket cooked food and semi-finished dish sales from4.3% increased to 9.1%
• New format at Best Mart introduces 3R food zone; all-day stock of freshly baked Orleans chicken for just 9.9 yuan.Over 1,000
• The 3R cooked food section accounts for over [percentage] of the three offline stores at Little Elephant Supermarket.60%
• Yonghui held its first dedicated supply chain conference for the cooked food category in 2026 5, transitioning from "joint operation" to "co-ownership."
What does a 9.1% sales share mean? It means the processing area has shifted from being an optional add-on to a core revenue driver. Xiao Xiang Supermarket is even more aggressive: its physical stores allocate 60% of their space to the 3R cooked food section, effectively treating ready-to-eat meals as their primary business format.
Yonghui's moves also warrant close examination. In 5 this year, they hosted a dedicated supply chain conference for their ready-to-eat food category with one core message: shifting from joint operations to co-ownership. Simply put, instead of subcontracting processing areas and collecting rent as a passive landlord, Yonghui is now deeply integrating into the supply chain itself. The signal is clear: supermarkets no longer want others to profit from the margin in processing areas.
The shift from raw to cooked is unavoidable.
What role did the supermarket's prepared foods section used to play? It was essentially an add-on: a few trays of braised dishes, some steamed buns, sausages and roasted chicken on sale. Shoppers came primarily for fresh produce and daily essentials; the prepared foods area was just something they might grab along the way.
It's a different game now. Sam's Club went viral with Swiss rolls and mochi, Hema differentiated itself through its Hema Workshop, and Pang Dong Lai's deli section became an Instagram-worthy hotspot. The processing area has become the core of differentiation for supermarkets—and one of their highest-margin segments. A $1 loaf can yield 60 to 70 cents in profit, far more lucrative than selling fruits and vegetables.
The supply chain is now mature. Leading companies like Qianwei Yangchu and Anjoy Foods specialize in standardized semi-finished products for supermarkets. You no longer need to hire expensive chefs; simple steaming, baking, or reheating can yield dozens of high-quality ready-to-eat dishes. "Chefless operations" are no longer just a slogan for small and medium-sized supermarkets—it all depends on finding the right suppliers.
Retailization of dining, focusing on family meals, and transforming from raw to ready-to-eat—these three trends define the future direction for supermarkets. Grasping this logic ensures your Q3 product selection stays on track.
Baking Supply Chain: From Egg Tart Shells to Lye Rolls, All-in-One Solution
Baking is the category with the most SKUs and fastest turnover in the processing area. Building a bakery operation from scratch isn't feasible for supermarkets; partnering with source factories for OEM/ODM is the right solution. This group of 6 exhibitors covers all categories—from frozen doughs and laminated semi-finished products to cheese, butter ingredients, and pretzel buns—effectively enabling a complete baking production line.
Langfang BaiFu Food Co., Ltd. · BeiZhiKe
Specializing in frozen-to-fresh bread and frozen pastry semi-finished products. OEM/ODM custom manufacturing. 100,000-grade clean workshop with fully automated smart production lines and low-temperature rapid freshness-locking technology.
Our product line covers egg tart shells, horn pastries, Napoleon pastry sheets, toast, soft European breads, bagels, pretzel buns, ciabatta, and more. With 20 years of R&D experience in baking, our founder has served leading domestic and international chain bakeries, restaurant groups, supermarkets, and channel distributors.
Booth: 3C-B39 | Phone: 15930685198
Liaocheng Bagel Food Co., Ltd.
Over 20 years of baking expertise. Direct-from-factory production, specializing in premium and mid-to-high-end baking products.
Frozen products: nut milk cookies, cheese milk corners, and pistachio cheese buns. Shelf-stable products: sugar-free whole wheat toast and sugar-free six-black grain toast. Our products have achieved strong sales and positive feedback in over 100 customer stores.
Booth: 3C-A50 | Phone: 06355066066
Hefei Houhouqia Food Co., Ltd.
Specializing in the R&D and production of pretzel baguette crisps, a professional food enterprise.
Booth: 3C-C25 | Phone: 18907090015
Hebei Haofuyuan Food Co., Ltd.
Specializing in baked goods, mousse cakes, oven-baked pastries, and fried pastries.
Contact: Hao Lifeng | Phone: 13513197799
Changsha Yuanzhiyi Food Co., Ltd. · Xianfuji / Maojiashuangwang
Established in 2012, specializing in bread, mooncakes, Chinese pastries, and Changsha's signature Tangyou Baba.
4,000+ sqm clean production facility with multiple fully automated baking lines and dozens of senior R&D specialists in baking technology.
Booth: 3B-A12 | Phone: 0731-86802318
Anhui Liangdianshui Dairy Products Co., Ltd.
Established in 2022, we specialize in the R&D and production of cheese and butter. We operate two modern factories with a capacity of 10,000 tons each and hold an SC food production license.
Product range includes light butter, salted butter, unsalted butter, cream cheese, and shredded mozzarella. Certified under ISO9001, ISO22000, HACCP, and international Halal standards. Targeting supermarket retail channels with a full range of retail packaging sizes.
Booth: 3C-D15 | Phone: 13910578440
Frozen Bakery: Breakfast Standardization – A Deep, High-Risk, High-Reward赛道
Frozen dough products are among the easiest categories in supermarket processing areas to eliminate the need for chefs. They can be sold after simple steaming or pan-frying, requiring no complex cooking skills. Breakfast is a high-frequency, essential demand with strong repeat purchase rates. This group of 8 exhibitors offers everything from dumplings and xiaolongbao to buns and pizza, covering core needs from supermarket breakfast counters to staple food sections.
Henan Zhongxue Frozen Food Co., Ltd.
Founded in 2015, with 10 years of brand history, we are a leading standardized producer of frozen rice and flour products in China. Headquartered in Yuanyang, Henan, our facility spans over 100 mu with a total investment of 3 billion yuan. Operating two processing bases in Anyang and Yuanyang, we employ more than 1000 staff members and offer over 700 product varieties.
China's first standardized breakfast product service provider. Certified by ISO9001, ISO22000, HACCP, and FDA. Our product line covers steaming, boiling, frying, deep-frying, and baking—five major categories.
Booth: 3C-F12 | Phone: 13044756000 / 15038786861
Jiangsu Zhuangyuanlang Food Group Co., Ltd. · Zhuangyuanlang / Jin Dashao / Jin Pin Guan
City-level leading enterprise, with production base in Siyang, Jiangsu. Operates 3 branch companies nationwide; "Jin Dasa" brand chain stores exceed 200.
Specializing in dumplings, tangyuan, soup buns, wontons, pies, and other bakery items. Offering over 30 dumpling flavors across multiple automated production lines, with an annual frozen food output of nearly 10 tons.
Booth: 3C-F07 | Phone: 19825765520
Henan Zhendi Food Co., Ltd.
Established in 2020, the factory spans 30000 square meters with an initial investment of over 5000 million yuan. It features a 12000-square-meter high-standard production workshop and a 5000-square-meter educational research office building. Specializing in frozen dough products such as traditional sourdough xiaolongbao.
Climate-controlled workshop, low-temperature workshop, and 10-level cleanroom. Dual-spiral quick-freezing tunnel and automatic packaging machine. 4 cold storage rooms and 4 freezers.
Booth: 3C-C29 | Phone: 17757272699
Shiyike (Henan) Food Technology Co., Ltd.
Located in Shangqiu, Henan, we specialize in the integrated R&D, production, and sales of stuffed buns. 196°C liquid nitrogen high-end equipment for locking freshness in cold fresh meat production.
Products: Shanghai-style pan-fried buns, Hangzhou old-dough soup dumplings, wontons, and other premium handmade stuffed pastries. OEM and ODM contract manufacturing with private labeling available. Strategic partner to multiple leading national food chains.
Booth: 3C-B19 | Phone: 18736028699
Chunan Branch of Shuhui (Hangzhou) Food Marketing Co., Ltd.
2013: Pioneered in frozen foods, the leading brand of premium Chinese mantou. Professional bakery production facility in Changshu, Jiangsu + Standardized brown sugar mantou production plant in Haining, Zhejiang + Brand marketing center in Hangzhou.
"One mantou to the world, rooted in the Yangtze River Delta and reaching across China. Consistently achieving multiple industry firsts in China's frozen food sector."
Booth: 3C-F21 | Phone: 0571-86399980
Wenzhou Fuxin Food Co., Ltd. · Fuduo Cloud Dumplings / Zhejiao Huang
Self-developed, produced, and delivered as an integrated solution. Over 200 stores nationwide with more than 2000 partner customers across both online and offline channels. Specializing in dumplings.
Booth: 3C-A14 | Phone: 18867733858
Shandong Shanliang Food Co., Ltd. · Dunyue / Yuezhong Pindao
Originating in Tai'an, we carry forward intangible cultural heritage through innovation. Collaborating with Jinan University on fermented food research, certified under HACCP and ISO2000.
Specializing in grain-fermented and traditional medicine-integrated soft pancakes, with a sales network nationwide.
Booth: 3C-A42 | Phone: 400-6977-006
Shandong Deluoma Food Co., Ltd. · Deluoma / Jimmama
Entered the pizza market in 2013, launched a standardized factory in 2022. Two factories in Shandong with registered capital of {20,000} yuan.
72-hour low-temperature cold fermentation, hand-kneaded dough. New Zealand-imported equipment paired with a 16-meter, 400°C constant-temperature baking tunnel and a ±60°C rapid-freezing tunnel. Specializing in handmade cold-fermented frozen pizzas and Detroit-style pizzas. Serving supermarkets nationwide, the Xinyilou system, and restaurant chains.
Booth: 3C-E21 | Phone: 13355499123
Ready-to-Eat Braised Delicacies: The Cash Cow of the Processing Zone
If baking drives traffic, ready-to-eat braised foods generate profit. In supermarket processing zones, this category boasts the highest margins and most consistent repeat purchases. From braised beef to pig trotters, Sichuan pepper chicken feet, and marinated seafood—these products are bought and taken away immediately. They require no further preparation or dine-in space, delivering exceptional revenue per square foot.
This group of 8 exhibitors includes forty-year-old heritage brands as well as new startups founded in 2023. They offer everything from traditional Chinese sausages to ready-to-eat meals. With such broad coverage, whether your supermarket targets premium markets or community-level pricing, you'll find suppliers that fit your needs.
Nantong Yutu Group Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1984, with over 40 years of expertise in Chinese meat products. Vice-Member Unit of the China Meat Industry Association and a leading force in the domestic meat sector. Recognized as a National Staple Food Processing Demonstration Enterprise and a Jiangsu Province Time-Honored Brand.
Chinese sausage and meat floss production techniques have been listed as intangible cultural heritage. We led the drafting of national standards for "Chinese Sausage" and "Meat Floss." Certified under ISO9001, FSSC22000, and BRCGS.
Booth: 3C-D05 | Phone: 051387961999 | Website: www.yutufood.com
Henan Musa Food Co., Ltd.
Established in 2023, located in Xinzheng City, Zhengzhou. A modern halal meat processing facility featuring a 13000 sqm standardized production park with cleanroom workshops and automated braising lines.
Core Products: Halal braised beef, beef shank, and a variety of seasoned ready-to-eat beef and lamb. Specializing in premium, high-quality dry-cured beef with no starch added. Our own brand is distributed nationwide through retail channels, complemented by OEM/ODM manufacturing services. We supply regional supermarket chains, fresh food markets, community stores, and foodservice businesses.
Booth: 3C-E09 | Phone: 18638635416
Jinan ZhenShixiang Food
Over a decade of expertise in deep processing of meat products, covering R&D, production, and sales. A multi-flavor matrix featuring Sichuan pepper, soy sauce aroma, and spicy profiles, with over 40 mature products.
Bestsellers: Sichuan Pepper Pork Skin Cubes, Sichuan Pepper Shredded Pork Skin, Sichuan Pepper Chicken Wings, Lemon Boneless Chicken Feet, and Lemon Boneless Duck Feet.
Booth: 3C-E5 | Phone: 053184278566
Jiangsu Yuxiyuan Food Co., Ltd.
Founded in 2019, Nantong. A high-end ready-to-eat food producer located in Lusi Port, one of China's six major national fishing ports.
Curated fresh, high-quality ingredients with premium seasonings from brands like Haitian and Lianhua. No additives added. Specializing in marinated small seafood.
Booth: 3C-A20 | Phone: 13601882518 | Website: www.yuxiyuan.cn
Zhengzhou Tianjiu Food Co., Ltd.
Established in 2018, located in Zhengzhou Huiji District, the core hub of Central China's food industry. Specializing in braised delicacies R&D, standardized production, omnichannel wholesale distribution, and cold-chain logistics.
Five-Spice Braised Pork Series, Beef and Lamb Offal Series, Sichuan Green Peppercorn Flavor Series, Premium Braised Snacks. Serving restaurants, supermarkets, wholesale markets, and e-commerce platforms.
Booth: 3C-F26 | Phone: 18703618078
Hebei Xingchao Food Co., Ltd.
Crafted with a secret blend of dozens of natural Chinese herbs, our imperial clay pot chicken is marinated and slow-cooked using traditional methods for a unique savory flavor.
Booth: 3C-G23 | Phone: 18603208967
Weijia Food (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.
Registered capital: 1153.8 million CNY. Specializing in value-added processing of quail and chicken eggs. Full industry chain: feed production, poultry farming, and food processing.
Processes 60 tons of quail eggs and 50 million chicken eggs daily. Features a fully automated production line—the industry's first to integrate AI-powered sorting equipment. BRCGS certified.
Phone: 400 677 9986
Zhongfan (Zhangzhou) Food Co., Ltd. · Grandma's Braised Rice
With 33 years of expertise in producing healthy foods, our products are sold in 156 countries worldwide. As a Vice-Chairman Unit of the China Canned Food Industry Association, we have led and participated in the development of 15 national and industry standards, including those for "Rice and Porridge."
New brand "Nana's Stewed Rice," pioneering the ready-to-eat stewed rice category. 0 Preservatives, 0 Artificial flavors, 0 Colorants: clean formula. Proprietary high-temperature physical sterilization and high-barrier packaging technology. 35 0g single-serve portable packs + 100 0g restaurant-sized packs. Ready in 1-3 minutes; reduces store labor costs by 30%-50%. Now available at 711, Lawson.
Booth: 3C-F29 | Phone: 4009186066
Buyers: Focus on these three selection criteria
Exhibitor info is here, but knowing how to negotiate and choose the right partners on-site still requires a strategy. Here are three hard-won lessons from real-world mistakes.
Check capacity and qualifications.Processing area suppliers must have stable, high-volume production capacity with no interruptions. Certifications like ISO, HACCP, and FSSC22000 are mandatory requirements; without them, discussions cannot proceed. Factories such as Zhongxue, Yutu, and Zhuangyuanlang, with 10 to several decades of experience, offer reliable production capacity and quality control systems.
View standardization capabilities."De-chefing" is the inevitable trend. Prioritize suppliers that offer standardized SOPs and enable simple in-store preparation, such as Deloma's frozen pizzas, A'ma's ready-to-eat ambient products, and Zhongxue's breakfast standardization solutions. The more standardized your suppliers are, the lower your processing area operating costs will be.
View customization capabilities.Suppliers with strong OEM/ODM capabilities help supermarkets launch exclusive private-label bestsellers and build differentiation. From Baifu Foods' full-category bakery customization, to ShiYike's OEM stuffed pastries, to Mosa's halal ready-to-eat manufacturing—finding partners who can collaborate deeply is far more valuable than simply reselling established brands. Private label is the future moat for supermarkets.
September 8 – October 19, Hangzhou International Expo Center: 22 3R food source factories on display. Browse baking, pastries, and ready-to-eat delicacies all in one place. Instead of sending repeated inquiries online and waiting for quotes or samples, meet exhibitors face-to-face at their booths. The time you save is enough to visit ten more factories.