The aims of this paper are to propose an econometric model for studying consumption
convergence, to apply the model to a set of panel data from China, and to discuss various
implications of research results. Major findings of the paper include (a) conditional convergence is
confirmed for total grain, fine grain, edible oil, poultry, aquatic product, and sugar; (b) animal fat and
red meat exhibit consumption divergence; (c) rising income inequality and underdevelopment of
market are identified to be obstacles to consumption convergence; and (d) for commodities that
converge, the speed of convergence is slow.