声动活泼·2025-08-13 09:35Core Viewpoint - The Chinese dairy market, dominated by Yili and Mengniu, is facing a downturn in revenue and profit after years of growth, primarily due to overcapacity and changing consumer preferences [4][5][6]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Yili and Mengniu together hold over 50% of the Chinese dairy market share, with liquid milk being the main revenue driver, accounting for over 80% of their income [4]. - The introduction of sterilization packaging technology in 1997 significantly extended the shelf life of milk, allowing these companies to expand nationally [4]. - The past decade saw continuous growth in the dairy market, but a shift occurred last year with both leading companies experiencing revenue and profit declines [4][5]. Group 2: Supply and Demand Issues - The relaxation of the two-child policy in 2016 and the COVID-19 pandemic increased health awareness, boosting dairy consumption, but also led to overestimation of future demand and subsequent capacity expansions by producers [5]. - The supply of raw milk has outpaced consumer demand since 2018, resulting in falling prices that have affected profitability for dairy farms [5][6]. - In 2023, the average daily spray-drying of fresh milk by leading dairy companies reached 20,000 tons, indicating a significant surplus [5]. Group 3: Consumer Behavior Changes - Consumer preferences have shifted towards alternatives like tea, coffee, and snacks, leading to a 3% year-on-year decline in dairy consumption [6]. - The retail price of milk has dropped over 5% since the beginning of 2023, prompting companies to increase promotional efforts, which has further strained profit margins [6][7]. Group 4: Strategic Responses - In response to overcapacity, many farms are reducing herd sizes and eliminating less productive cows, with a projected decrease of about 200,000 dairy cows this year [7]. - Yili and Mengniu are exploring partnerships with coffee and tea brands to create customized dairy products, aiming to adapt to changing consumer tastes [9]. - The B2B market for dairy products is estimated to be worth hundreds of billions, but a significant portion is still dominated by imported brands, indicating potential growth opportunities for local companies [9].