A Greek inspired yoghurt made in China and carrying a distinctly Greek name and design has begun appearing on supermarket shelves across China, highlighting the growing popularity of Greek yoghurt among Chinese consumers.<\/h3>\n
The product, called Physis<\/strong>, entered the Chinese market in early September. While it uses a Greek recipe and incorporates an ingredient imported from Greece, the yoghurt itself is produced in China by New Hope Dairy<\/strong>, one of the country\u2019s largest dairy companies.<\/p>\n The product is aimed exclusively at Chinese consumers, who have increasingly embraced Greek style yoghurt for its taste and perceived nutritional benefits.<\/p>\n According to information cited by Financial Report, the recipe was developed following communication with the Agricultural University of Athens<\/strong>, while the company imports yeast from Greece for use in production.<\/p>\n The packaging was designed by Greek designer Sofia Georgopoulou<\/strong>, who said the Chinese company approached her specifically because it wanted a stronger Greek identity for the product.<\/p>\n The packaging combines traditional Greek imagery with elements designed for the Chinese market, using a predominantly white and blue colour scheme.<\/p>\n Georgopoulou said the design was influenced by the strong association many Chinese consumers have between Greece and ancient mythology.<\/p>\n Her name, \u201cSofia\u201d, also appears on the packaging.<\/p>\n The result is a product that looks unmistakably Greek on the supermarket shelf, despite being manufactured in China.<\/p>\n The move reflects the enormous size of China\u2019s yoghurt market.<\/p>\n Revenue from the Chinese yoghurt market reached approximately 199.8 billion yuan, or $27.44 billion, by July 2025<\/strong>, according to figures cited by Financial Report.<\/p>\n The market is also projected to grow at an annual rate of approximately 6.98% over the following five years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n China currently generates the highest yoghurt market revenues globally, with Greek style and chilled yoghurt gaining increasing attention from consumers.<\/p>\n One of the key distinctions in the Chinese market is between chilled yoghurt and products that can be stored at room temperature.<\/p>\n Chilled yoghurt is generally associated with better taste and nutritional qualities, but its shorter shelf life means producers need more sophisticated cold chain transportation and retail infrastructure.<\/p>\n Room temperature yoghurt has historically dominated parts of the Chinese market because it is easier to distribute and store.<\/p>\n As China\u2019s economy has developed and refrigeration infrastructure has expanded, however, chilled yoghurt has become increasingly popular.<\/p>\n The company behind Physis is part of the New Hope Group<\/strong>, which was founded in 1982 by Chinese businessman Liu Yonghao.<\/p>\n The group has expanded from animal feed and agriculture into meat, eggs, dairy and other areas of the food supply chain.<\/p>\n By 2026, New Hope reportedly had more than 600 subsidiaries and almost 100,000 employees<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The group recorded sales revenue of more than $34.2 billion in 2024<\/strong>, according to the report.<\/p>\n Its entry into Greek style yoghurt illustrates how international food trends are increasingly being adapted for China\u2019s enormous domestic consumer market.<\/p>\n For Greece, the Physis product also highlights the growing commercial appeal of Greek food culture in China, even when the final product is manufactured locally rather than exported from Greece.<\/p>\n The distinction could become increasingly important as international food brands seek to balance authentic recipes and cultural identity with the costs and logistics of supplying China\u2019s vast consumer market.<\/p>\nA Greek name with Chinese production<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/picture>Why Chinese companies are producing Greek yoghurt locally<\/h3>\n
New Hope\u2019s massive food business<\/h3>\n