IGD, the specialist research firm, recently published its latest annual study of the sector, and estimated that China has now surpassed the US as the biggest single retail outlet for these goods worldwide.

"Despite its various logistical and bureaucratic challenges, China is a crucial growth market for many of the world's largest grocery retailers," said Joanne Denney-Finch, chief executive of IGD.

"Even beyond the major cities there are huge opportunities: forecasts suggest there will be over 200 Chinese cities with a population over a million people by 2025. But given China's size and diversity, it's essential not to treat the country as one homogenous market."

"All the BRIC nations have been steadily increasing in value and by 2015 they are tipped to dominate the top five grocery slots, and many UK food and grocery companies are already pursuing this opportunity," said Denney-Finch.