Greek Yogurt Made in China Hits Shelves as Chinese Company Targets $27.4 Billion Market

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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.

The product, called Physis, 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, one of the country’s largest dairy companies.

The product is aimed exclusively at Chinese consumers, who have increasingly embraced Greek style yoghurt for its taste and perceived nutritional benefits.

According to information cited by Financial Report, the recipe was developed following communication with the Agricultural University of Athens, while the company imports yeast from Greece for use in production.

A Greek name with Chinese production

The packaging was designed by Greek designer Sofia Georgopoulou, who said the Chinese company approached her specifically because it wanted a stronger Greek identity for the product.

The packaging combines traditional Greek imagery with elements designed for the Chinese market, using a predominantly white and blue colour scheme.

Georgopoulou said the design was influenced by the strong association many Chinese consumers have between Greece and ancient mythology.

Her name, “Sofia”, also appears on the packaging.

The result is a product that looks unmistakably Greek on the supermarket shelf, despite being manufactured in China.

Why Chinese companies are producing Greek yoghurt locally

The move reflects the enormous size of China’s yoghurt market.

Revenue from the Chinese yoghurt market reached approximately 199.8 billion yuan, or $27.44 billion, by July 2025, according to figures cited by Financial Report.

The market is also projected to grow at an annual rate of approximately 6.98% over the following five years.

China currently generates the highest yoghurt market revenues globally, with Greek style and chilled yoghurt gaining increasing attention from consumers.

One of the key distinctions in the Chinese market is between chilled yoghurt and products that can be stored at room temperature.

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.

Room temperature yoghurt has historically dominated parts of the Chinese market because it is easier to distribute and store.

As China’s economy has developed and refrigeration infrastructure has expanded, however, chilled yoghurt has become increasingly popular.

New Hope’s massive food business

The company behind Physis is part of the New Hope Group, which was founded in 1982 by Chinese businessman Liu Yonghao.

The group has expanded from animal feed and agriculture into meat, eggs, dairy and other areas of the food supply chain.

By 2026, New Hope reportedly had more than 600 subsidiaries and almost 100,000 employees.

The group recorded sales revenue of more than $34.2 billion in 2024, according to the report.

Its entry into Greek style yoghurt illustrates how international food trends are increasingly being adapted for China’s enormous domestic consumer market.

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.

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’s vast consumer market.

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