According to a new report, China has emerged as the world’s biggest food and grocery market after overtaking the US market in terms of sales in 2011.

The report from British food industry analysts IGD also said that the BRIC countries, including Brazil, Russia, India and China will be among the five biggest grocery markets in the world by 2015.

The total value of China’s food and grocery market rose to the level of $970 billion in 2011, which was higher than $913.5 billion for the US for the same period. The significant growth in China’s market is mainly due to the country’s growing economy, rising wealth, and inflationary food prices, according to the research report.

China's grocery market is expected to grow to the level of $1.46 trillion by the end of 2014, which a about three times the market’s total value in 2006. The report found that Chinese people are moving from a daily diet based mostly on rice and pork to a diet of dairy products, wheat, grains and red and white meat.

Cecile Riverain, IGD's international research manager said, “Despite the slowdown, measures to stimulate Chinese domestic consumption present an opportunity for retailers. For example, higher wages could boost disposable income and increase the number of potential customers.”