Chongqing - Chongqing-style hot pot is a beloved national cuisine in China and is on the rise, with its far more intense and spicy flavors popping up worldwide. A local district in Chongqing has proposed all-round solutions to hotpot business.

As Chongqing's sole specialized food park, Qijiang District advances the whole hotpot industry supply chain in the Chongqing (Qijiang) Food Park, according to Luo Cheng, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China Qijiang District Committee and the District Mayor during the press conference on September 25.

Since its establishment in September 2007, the Chongqing (Qijiang) Food Park has dedicated 16 years of effort to focus on three key areas: the development of the entire hotpot supply chain, cultivating a distinct prefabricated food industry, and promoting specialized medical and dietary food products.

The number of hotpot restaurants in Chongqing ranks first among all provinces and cities in China. (Graphics/Chen Yuting)

Hot pot expansion into ASEAN countries

Luo mentioned that the park has attracted 32 enterprises to establish operations, including notable names like Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), Viee Beverages, and Yihao Hotpot. 

Among these, 18 enterprises have completed construction and commenced operations. As of 2022, the combined production value of these food processing companies has reached a remarkable 3.586 billion yuan (USD 490.55 million).

Luo added that a prominent brand in the hotpot scene is Gao Lao Jiu Hot Pots, which is highly likely to come across in Shanghai, as this brand boasts over 60 outlets in the city.

Furthermore, this year, Gao Lao Jiu has expanded its horizons beyond borders, setting up new hotpot establishments in Bangkok, Thailand, and Vietnam, marking its foray into international territories, courtesy of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC). The path has led them to the ASEAN countries.

Advance the processing of hotpot ingredients

CP Group, a leading company in Thailand that operates across industries ranging from industrial to service, has established its presence in Qijiang. "We eagerly anticipate CP Group delivering the finest and safest food products to everyone next year after commencing operations this year," Luo said.

Their establishment in Qijiang includes a massive facility with meat processing totaling 100,000 tons. Additionally, CP Group has invested in prefabricated food production, promising to deliver premium meat products and prefabricated food to the people of Chongqing across China and around the globe.

The strategic collaboration with CP Group entails a substantial investment of 10 billion yuan (approximately USD 1.368 billion), set to elevate the production value of the food industrial park to over ten billion yuan (around USD 1.368 billion) in the coming year.

Additionally, the park has inked an agreement with Laotian enterprises for the annual importation of approximately USD four million worth of beef, significantly diversifying the supply of hotpot ingredients and raw materials.

At the hotpot seasoning production site.(Photo/Yang Shenglong)

Luo continued that the significance of welcoming CP Group into Qijiang lies in the substantial role of meat products in the hotpot industry. With its international stature, CP Group is well-positioned to expand and enrich the processing of hotpot ingredients and raw materials.

Also, Qijiang is establishing cooperation with Mongolia to transport Mongolian beef and beef tripe via the China Railway Express to Chongqing, where processing will occur in Qijiang before distribution to the rest of China.

Qijiang is leveraging the ILSTC to expand trade in meat products with ASEAN countries and establish an ILSTC meat processing base to support these developments.

Chongqing's hotpot industry has evolved into a comprehensive supply chain, encompassing hotpot ingredient bases, raw material processing, auxiliary materials, and consumer end-points. Qijiang District's proactive efforts will further bolster the industry's growth and enhance its vitality, injecting new vigor into the tradition and evolution of hotpot culture.