ZHONGTAI SECURITIES·2025-12-06 12:00Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Increase" [4][32]. Core Viewpoints - The frozen food industry is expected to see demand recovery, with product innovation playing a crucial role in overcoming challenges [6][29]. - The revenue from the downstream catering sector is anticipated to maintain a recovery trend in 2026, while profit margins are expected to gradually improve due to cost control and product innovation [6][29]. - The market size of China's frozen food sector is projected to reach 213.1 billion by 2025, up from 168.8 billion at the end of 2022 [8]. Summary by Sections Industry Overview - The frozen food industry faced a slowdown in growth during the first three quarters of 2025 due to fluctuations in catering demand and other adverse factors, but signs of recovery were noted in Q4 [6][29]. - The total market value of the industry is approximately 45,795.07 billion [1]. Market Trends - The national catering revenue from January to October 2025 reached 46,188 billion, showing a year-on-year growth of 3.3% [7]. - The chain rate in the catering industry is expected to rise to 25% in 2025, indicating significant room for growth compared to the U.S. and Japan [8]. Product Performance - In the first half of 2025, the frozen food category in supermarkets grew by 5%, contrasting with a decline of 9.5% in the same period last year [9]. - There is a structural shift in the market, with traditional staple categories under pressure while snack categories like pizza and frozen dim sum show strong growth potential [9]. Channel Development - The frozen food companies are actively responding to the demand from large chain supermarkets, leading to an increase in sales through these channels [15]. - New retail channels are also showing significant growth, contributing to the overall performance of the industry [15]. Cost and Profitability - The prices of most food raw materials have decreased, alleviating some cost pressures for frozen food companies, although packaging costs remain high [21]. - The combined revenue growth of key companies in the frozen food sector was 3.0% year-on-year for the first three quarters of 2025, with a notable acceleration in Q3 [29]. Company-Specific Insights - Anjiu Foods is expected to benefit from the gradual recovery in catering and the continuous expansion of new customers, leading to a potential increase in profitability [31]. - Qianwei Yangchu is focusing on product innovation and expanding its market presence through both B2B and B2C channels, indicating strong long-term growth potential [31]. - Lihai Foods is actively developing new products and strengthening partnerships with key clients, positioning itself well for future growth in the baking sector [31].