Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-05-13 07:51Core Insights - The traditional plant-based protein beverage sector in China has not benefited from the health upgrade trend, with major companies like Yangyuan Beverage and Chengde Lulu reporting significant revenue declines in Q1 2025 [1][2][5] - In contrast, the Danish oat milk brand Oatly has seen a substantial revenue increase of 37.6% in the Chinese market during the same period, highlighting a divergence in performance within the sector [1][5] Company Performance - Yangyuan Beverage reported Q1 2025 revenue of 1.86 billion yuan, a decrease of 19.7% year-on-year, with a net profit of 640 million yuan, down approximately 27% [1] - Chengde Lulu's Q1 2025 revenue was 1 billion yuan, reflecting an 18.4% year-on-year decline, with a net profit of 220 million yuan, down 12.5% [1] - Both companies experienced a revenue increase in Q4 2024, with Yangyuan Beverage growing by 16.1% and Chengde Lulu by 22.7%, but overall annual performance showed a decline [1] Market Dynamics - The decline in traditional plant-based protein beverages is attributed to product aging and lack of innovation, with consumers favoring alternatives like coconut water and herbal drinks [5] - The rise of new competitors in the plant-based beverage market, including nut and snack companies, has further diluted market demand for traditional offerings [5] - Oatly's growth is linked to strategic partnerships and entry into new retail channels, which contrasts with the domestic companies' reliance on traditional retail [5][6] Strategic Initiatives - Yangyuan Beverage is exploring new growth avenues through investments, including a significant 1.6 billion yuan stake in Changjiang Storage Technology, indicating a shift towards diversification [7] - Both Yangyuan and Chengde Lulu are attempting to innovate their product lines, with Chengde Lulu launching new products like "Almond+" and Yangyuan focusing on health-oriented offerings [6][7]