Core Insights - The infant formula market is experiencing intensified competition among leading brands, focusing on technological advancements rather than price wars as the initial growth from the baby boom in 2024 begins to wane [1][5] Industry Overview - The infant formula industry has seen a slight recovery in sales, with a 1.6% overall growth in the first eight months of 2025, primarily driven by a 13.5% increase in Stage 2 formula, while Stage 3 formula sales declined by 6.5% [2] - The birth rate in China reached 9.54 million in 2024, an increase of 520,000 from the previous year, marking a temporary rebound in the maternal and infant industry [2] - Despite the growth in sales figures for Stage 1 formula, this is attributed to improved market conditions rather than actual sales volume increases [4] Competitive Landscape - Leading brands are leveraging their research and development capabilities to differentiate their products, focusing on precision nutrition tailored to various age groups and regional dietary characteristics [5][6] - The competitive pressure on infant formula companies is expected to increase in the latter half of 2023 and into 2024, with larger brands' birth subsidy policies significantly impacting smaller brands, potentially reducing their sales by approximately 25% [5] - The number of registered formula series has decreased, but there is still room for increased market concentration, with 93 dairy companies having 426 formula series registered by the end of August 2025 [5]
产业焦点 | 龙年生育红利消退，奶粉头部玩家技术军备竞赛鸣枪