Japanese media reports suggesting that foie gras is becoming a common ingredient in China due to stagnant consumption garnered attention on Chinese social media.

The focus of attention was a TV Asahi news program that reported on the decreasing price of foie gras in China. While one slice costs 2,800 to 7,400 yen in France, it has become reasonable at around 700 to 1,700 yen in China, and it was pointed out that the background to this is the "frugality trend" spreading in China. According to experts, they reported, "Previously, the wealthy class ate it, but that demographic is thinning. As high-end ingredients no longer sell, prices have fallen, making it more accessible to the middle class."

The program commented that even the Consumer Price Index announced by China's National Bureau of Statistics on the 9th of this month showed that price growth remained sluggish, suggesting that the frugality trend among consumers in China continues. Additionally, it was reported that while a farm in Anhui Province, China, raises as many as 160,000 geese annually and mass-produces, they have been forced to lower prices in a "small margins, high volume" manner due to decreased demand.

When this report was shared on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo, netizens commented, "That's strange logic. The price dropped because consumers are being frugal? So, is Japan's rising inflation because ordinary people are spending too much money?" "'Consumer downgrading' is certainly happening, but what does that have to do with eating foie gras?" "Even if you're rich, this isn't something you'd eat every day." "The rich just became health-conscious and stopped eating it because it's bad for them. Foie gras wasn't originally expensive (in China)."

Additionally, many opinions were expressed such as, "Even if the price drops, I won't eat foie gras," "It's fatty liver, isn't it? It's not tasty and it's disgusting," "When you get older, you can't eat things like this," "The problem is that it's not tasty. A foie gras restaurant opened near my house, and I tried it, but it just didn't suit my palate," and "Either way, it's unappetizing, and not something necessary to eat."

According to the report, a report published by China International Capital Corporation (CICC) in June stated that China accounts for 45% of the world's foie gras supply, with an annual production of approximately 10,000 tons. It is said that the production areas are mainly concentrated in Shandong and Anhui Provinces. (Translation/Editing by Kitada)