Investment Rating - The report gives a "Buy" rating for the company, marking its first coverage [9][11]. Core Insights - Modern Dairy is a pioneer in large-scale farming, with digital transformation and refined operations driving cost reduction and resilience. The company is positioned as a leader in China's raw milk production and full industry chain operations, with a clear trend of tightening raw milk supply and demand gap, suggesting potential profitability improvement by the second half of 2025 [3][6][9]. Summary by Sections Company Overview - Modern Dairy, established in 2005 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2010, is headquartered in Ma'anshan, Anhui Province. The company aims to be a global leader in the dairy industry through a strategy focused on industry chain layout, digital innovation, and collaboration with strategic partner Mengniu [6][17]. Market Dynamics - The report discusses the cyclical nature of raw milk prices, indicating that prices may stabilize and improve by mid to late 2025 due to a combination of steady demand and accelerated capacity reduction in the upstream dairy sector [7][9]. Business Performance - In 2024, the company's raw milk business generated revenue of 10.454 billion yuan, accounting for 78.83% of total revenue. The company has also expanded into feed and digital platform businesses to enhance vertical synergy within the industry chain [8][54]. Financial Metrics - Modern Dairy's EBITDA for 2024 reached 2.986 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 19.6%. The company reported a total revenue of 13.254 billion yuan, a slight decrease of 1.52% year-on-year, with a net profit attributable to shareholders of -1.417 billion yuan [18][61]. Growth Strategy - The company has focused on high-quality development driven by technology, optimizing cost structures, and improving resource utilization efficiency. This strategic shift aims to consolidate its leading position in the industry amid increasing market concentration [30][37]. Future Outlook - The report anticipates that the tightening supply-demand gap in raw milk will create investment opportunities, with significant upside potential in the company's earnings and valuation expected in 2025 and 2026 [9][61].

Summary of the Conference Call for Yuran Dairy Industry Industry Overview - The dairy industry is expected to see a moderate recovery in milk prices in 2025, influenced by summer heat stress, mid-to-high-end dairy product consumption, and new national standards [2][3][4] - The original milk price is projected to stabilize in Q3 2025 and rise in Q4 2025, supported by cash flow pressures faced by social pastures during the silage procurement season [2][10] Key Points Milk Price Expectations - Milk prices are anticipated to rise to around 3.8 RMB/kg, with fluctuations expected to be moderate rather than drastic [4][22] - The average milk price for 2024 was 4.12 RMB/kg, with a sales cost of 2.77 RMB/kg, where feed costs accounted for approximately 70%-75% of total costs [2][21] Company Strategy and Performance - Yuran Dairy aims for a low single-digit growth in the number of dairy cows in 2025, with production and sales expected to exceed 4 million tons [2][5] - The company’s fresh milk pricing is above the market average, with a 2024 average of 4.12 RMB/kg compared to the national average of 3.32 RMB/kg [2][6] - The company plans to maintain a stable gross margin in 2025, benefiting from a recovery in beef prices which will reduce losses from culling [5][21] Supply and Demand Dynamics - The culling of dairy cows is accelerating due to rising beef prices, which are nearing 20 RMB/kg, alleviating cash flow pressures on pastures [2][9] - The number of dairy cows in China has been decreasing, with a monthly reduction of approximately 35,000 to 40,000 heads from January to April 2025, slowing to 10,000 heads in May [3][4] Cost and Profit Analysis - A change of 0.1 RMB/kg in milk price or cost is expected to impact annual net profit by approximately 400 million RMB [3][21] - The company’s average sales ratio remains stable at 97%-98%, with no sales pressure due to unlimited purchases from downstream clients [12] Market Trends and Consumer Behavior - There is a structural change in demand, with a shift from room temperature milk to low-temperature milk and an increase in the high-end segment of infant formula and elderly milk powder [10][11] - The company is exploring international markets, including Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, to expand its customer base [11] Future Outlook - The dairy industry is expected to stabilize and see a gradual recovery in milk prices, indicating that the most challenging period may be nearing its end [20][22] - The company is focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and maintaining a balanced supply-demand relationship to navigate future market fluctuations [22][29] Additional Insights - The company has expanded its product line to include goat milk, which is gaining popularity due to its digestibility [25] - The breeding business is progressing well, with a focus on improving the quality of dairy cows through advanced breeding techniques [26] This summary encapsulates the key insights and projections discussed during the conference call, highlighting the strategic direction and market dynamics of Yuran Dairy Industry.