The 2026 China Entrepreneur Future Stars Annual Conference was held in Guangzhou from July 10th to 11th. The conference, themed "The Moment of Leap," focused on the deep integration of hard technology and artificial intelligence, exploring the critical transition from technological breakthroughs to industrial application. Hou Xiaohai, COO of CP Group's China Region, attended and delivered a speech.

Hou Xiaohai believes the food industry is situated within a "new world of consumption" shaped by the interplay of four major forces: the global governance landscape, technological emergence, generational shifts, and cyclical economic factors. Among these, the change in population structure is the core driving force for industrial transformation. He specifically noted that the current number of people living alone, single individuals, and the elderly population in China each approaches 300 million. This combined "900 million people" constitutes a massive "one-person dining" market. Their pursuit of health, convenience, emotional value, and personalization is driving the gradual idling of home kitchens, leading to explosive growth in ready-to-heat, ready-to-steam, and pre-made foods.

Under this trend, the era of consumer sovereignty has fully arrived. The old logic of "from production to market (B2C)" has been completely rewritten, replaced by a new "consumer-centric (C2B)" model. Companies that continue to operate with the mindset of the old world will inevitably be left behind by the times.

Facing this new landscape, the extensive expansion model of China's food industry has come to an end, ushering in a new phase of intensive cultivation, quality enhancement, and intelligent development. Hou Xiaohai pointed out that four core drivers are creating vast opportunities—a "sea of stars"—for frozen foods, pre-made dishes, and new food categories.

Supportive Policy Environment: With the imminent implementation of national standards for pre-made dishes and increasingly stringent food safety regulations, the industry will move past its chaotic state of mixed quality. High-quality products will drive out inferior ones, and leading enterprises will benefit from more predictable advantages.

Demographic Structure as a Driver: The massive populations of individuals living alone and the elderly provide an unstoppable consumer base for convenient and healthy food options.

Upgrading B2B Demand: The trends toward chain expansion and centralization in the catering industry are compelling the food supply chain to achieve unification, standardization, and branding.

AI-Powered Comprehensive Restructuring: Artificial intelligence is reshaping the strategy, business models, product research and development, and the entire industrial chain layout of the food sector.