An enormous opportunity awaits foreign food companies in the Chinese market.

According to a report by Data Driven Marketing Asia (DDMA), 46 per cent of Chinese consumers seek out foreign food brands when grocery shopping.

It says the confidence of middle class consumers in local food companies has been steadily eroded by persistent food scandals.

As a result, Chinese consumers of today show a clear preference for imported food brands, with Australian and New Zealand food brands the most preferred.

There are also very high levels of preference and appeal for food from Germany, Sweden and Norway.

“The appeal of Australian and New Zealand food brands are driven by perceptions of food from an unpolluted, clean and natural environment,” said Sam Mulligan, director of DDMA China.

“While the appeal for German food brands is driven by respect for German corporate governance. Norway and Sweden are considered to be countries with very high food safety standards, a natural environment and food companies with advanced technology among Chinese consumers that are familiar with Nordic countries,” said Mulligan.