new policy · digital leap for PRC food industry
smart tech set to reshape supply chains and consumer trust
implementation plan for food industry digital transformation
关于印发《食品工业数字化转型实施方案》的通知
MIIT, MoHRSS, MoE, PBoC, SAMR, NFSRA, NDA | 10 June 2025
takeaways
sets targets for digital upgrades: 80 percent digital management adoption by key enterprises by 2027, full digital integration by 2030
promotes AI, blockchain, 5G, cloud computing, and big data across food processing and traceability systems
commits to establishing 10+ smart factories, 5+ digital industrial parks, and hundreds of demonstration projects
advocates flexible, modular production models responsive to consumer demands
mandates significant upgrades in cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing equipment
emphasises sustainability through carbon footprint tracking and low-carbon production processes
bottlenecks
high initial investment barriers for SMEs and fragmented supply chains
disparity between ambitious digital targets and current enterprise readiness
complex interoperability challenges across diverse digital platforms
data governance, cybersecurity, and privacy risks remain prominent
background
The new MIIT policy intensifies Beijing’s strategic drive to digitally transform its food industry. It closely aligns with broader national efforts toward agricultural modernisation and digital economy expansion, including
The initiative sets clear quantitative targets, focusing on deep integration of cutting-edge technologies throughout the industry’s entire value chain: from agricultural inputs to end consumer distribution.
Building on recent pilots and foundational digital infrastructure development, this policy mandates comprehensive, phased implementation, aiming to significantly elevate industry efficiency, market responsiveness, and international competitiveness.
Digital upgrades in food processing and supply chains dovetail with digital village guidelines and national smart agriculture plans, collectively aiming for systemic digitisation across rural and urban markets.
Enhanced digital traceability, central to recent bonded zone controls and import monitoring reforms, further reflects Beijing's strategic intent to ensure product authenticity and improve regulatory compliance.
assessment
industrial transformation accelerates
This policy marks a significant shift from isolated digital pilots to industry-wide digital integration. By 2027, digital management penetration is set to reach 80 percent among leading food enterprises, signifying substantial state-driven technological infusion.
This echoes recent successful logistics pilots, such as Hefei’s drone delivery and Wuhan’s automated sorting, which have dramatically enhanced efficiency and reduced operational costs.
addressing supply chain vulnerabilities
Ever sticky food scandals, such as the July 2024 exposure of unsafe edible oil transport practices, underline the urgent need for improved oversight and transparency. The implementation of digital traceability, blockchain documentation, and IoT-enabled monitoring proposed by this policy directly addresses these regulatory gaps and, if implemented widescale, can significantly strengthen consumer protection and supply chain integrity.
SME integration challenge
However, SMEs face considerable hurdles. While large enterprises like JD Logistics successfully adopt AI-driven sorting and blockchain-enabled traceability, smaller operators struggle with high initial costs, interoperability complexities, and a skills deficit.
Policy success will hinge on targeted financial support, SME-friendly digital tools, and scaled-down modular technologies to ensure broad industry adoption.
talent bottleneck persists
As Zhang Fusuo 张福锁 (China Agricultural University) highlighted at an April People’s Daily roundtable, effective digital transformation is not solely technological: labour quality is a critical enabler. Training and retaining skilled digital talent at multiple levels—technical specialists, extension agents, digital logistics professionals—is essential.
Tailored training programmes and simplified digital tools will be critical to bridging capability gaps, particularly in rural and smaller urban contexts.
from data collection to actionable insights
Previous digitalisation efforts have often resulted in excessive data collection without actionable analysis, especially at the farm-level, as noted by Shi Xi 石茜 (Sun Yat-sen University).
This policy emphasises the critical importance of actionable analytics, integrated systems, and meaningful interoperability. Success will depend significantly on data standards and secure cross-sector data governance frameworks, which remain underdeveloped.
scenario-driven consumer integration
Consumer-driven digital scenarios—highlighted by recent shifts toward immersive experiences and digitally-integrated retail—will further incentivise upstream standardisation and traceability. Brands are already leveraging smart ordering, AI recommendations, and immersive dining experiences to elevate consumer engagement and product differentiation.
Ultimately, the test for this ambitious policy lies in execution: can central coordination, targeted financial incentives, and enhanced digital infrastructure overcome persistent structural and operational barriers?
questions
can SMEs realistically meet aggressive digital targets without substantial support?
will emerging digital standards effectively address interoperability and data governance challenges?
can current talent training programmes scale adequately to meet industry-wide demand?
will investments in cybersecurity keep pace with expanding digital infrastructure and IoT adoption?
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