Core Insights - The dairy industry is facing performance challenges due to homogenization leading to price wars, with companies struggling to maintain profitability as they adapt to changing market conditions [1][3] Market Competition - The competition in the dairy market is intensifying, with a notable decrease in subscription customers for companies like San Yuan, attributed to rational consumer spending and aggressive pricing from supermarkets and e-commerce platforms [2][3] - The price of mainstream low-temperature fresh milk ranges from 9 to 11 yuan for 900ml, while private label products can be as low as 7 to 8 yuan for the same volume, highlighting the fierce price competition [2] Industry Performance - Data from Nielsen IQ indicates an 8.8% decline in the growth of the domestic dairy market from January to November 2025, reflecting insufficient consumer demand [3] - Major dairy companies, including Yili, Mengniu, and Guangming, reported varying degrees of performance decline in their Q3 reports for 2025, with net profits remaining negative despite some operational adjustments [3] Product Innovation and Differentiation - Post-2023, growth in the dairy sector is primarily driven by product structure upgrades, focusing on enhancing nutritional content and transitioning from ambient to low-temperature products, although homogenization remains a challenge [4] - Companies are increasingly focusing on creating differentiated, high-value products through scenario-based and functional innovations to escape the price competition trap [4][7] - Guangming Dairy has introduced several innovative products targeting specific consumer needs, such as high-protein yogurt for fitness enthusiasts and functional probiotics for health management [5][6] Future Trends - The dairy industry is shifting from a growth-focused model to one that emphasizes diversification and precision nutrition, driven by rising health awareness among consumers [6] - The market for adult nutritional products is projected to exceed 300 billion yuan by 2030, indicating significant growth potential in differentiated product categories [6] - Scenario-based products are becoming a key focus for companies, aiming to leverage emotional value to attract and retain customers in a competitive market [7]
2026年乳企竞争瞄准重建差异化,加速向场景和功能创新要增量