Published: 7:30pm, 23 Jan, 2016 Updated: 7:46pm, 23 Jan, 2016
Chinese desire for sustainable and organic produce is not yet " mainstream " but it is growing , particularly among the increasingly - educated and well - off middle class : the market for organic foods stands at about $ 3bn , compared with less than $ 100 m a year ago , according to empirical data from Organic Monitor . However , the author of an article for the South organic food Post argues that consumers are turning to organic products , not necessarily because of a genuine desire for the environment or for the nutritional benefits but because the word " organic " is meant to equate to better quality and better food safety , and a symbol of wealth .