Xin Jing Bao·2025-06-14 03:49Core Insights - The article highlights the gap between recommended dairy consumption and actual consumption in China, with only 35.6% of the population meeting the daily intake guideline of 300 milliliters of dairy products [1][3][6] - Despite a steady increase in milk production, the dairy industry faces challenges such as low consumer awareness and changing dietary habits, leading to a decline in profits for major dairy companies [12][14][18] Industry Overview - China's milk production reached 4,197 million tons in 2023, marking a 6.7% year-on-year increase, although this is still lower than countries like India and the USA [12][14] - The average per capita dairy consumption in China is about 42 kilograms, which is one-third of the world average and significantly lower than Japan's consumption [6][10] Consumer Behavior - A significant portion of the population, over 1 billion people, has not developed a habit of drinking milk, with only 16.7 grams consumed daily by the 18-59 age group, far below the recommended levels [6][10] - Cultural perceptions of milk as a supplement for the elderly or children contribute to low consumption rates, with many young consumers preferring sugary beverages [10][12] Financial Performance of Dairy Companies - Major dairy companies like Yili and Mengniu reported significant profit declines in 2024, with Yili's net profit down by 18.94% and Mengniu's nearly halved [14][15] - The financial struggles are attributed to economic slowdown, low consumer confidence, and an imbalance in raw milk supply and demand [14][18] Pricing and Market Dynamics - The average price of milk in China is higher than in many other countries, influenced by high production costs and market dynamics [12][18] - There has been a noticeable drop in retail prices for liquid milk products, with promotions leading to lower prices for premium brands [18]