Summary of Conference Call Notes Industry Overview - The dairy industry is characterized by its cyclical nature, influenced by the growth cycle of cattle, which takes approximately 13 months from calf to mature cow [1] - The industry has become increasingly large-scale since 2008, driven by food safety incidents and environmental regulations, leading to a consolidation of farms [2] - As of 2020, leading farms accounted for 43% of the market, although the overall competition remains fragmented with top companies holding less than 4% market share [2] Supply and Demand Analysis - Milk price fluctuations are influenced by both supply and demand factors [3] - Supply factors include the price of imported milk powder, which serves as a substitute for fresh milk when prices are lower abroad [3] - Demand factors are driven by population growth and per capita dairy consumption, which is affected by income levels and health awareness [5] - Feed costs constitute about 70% of the raw milk sales cost, making it a significant factor in dairy farming profitability [5] Historical Price Cycles - The industry has experienced three major cycles from 2008 to present: - **2008-2013**: Milk prices fell due to the melamine scandal, leading to reduced demand [6] - **2013-2018**: Prices rose due to supply constraints from disease outbreaks and rising feed costs, followed by a decline due to increased imports [7] - **2019-Present**: Prices have been rising due to supply reductions from farm exits and supportive policies, although a recent oversupply has led to price declines starting in 2021 [9] Current Market Conditions - Current milk prices are around 3203, showing a slight decline from the previous week [9] - The industry is in a phase of bottoming out, with many farms facing losses due to falling prices and rising feed costs [10] - Factors such as rising beef prices and seasonal procurement pressures are expected to increase financial strain on smaller farms [11] Future Outlook - The second half of the year may see a balance between supply and demand, aided by government subsidies and new standards reducing reliance on imported milk powder [12] - Companies like YouRan are expected to benefit from a rebound in milk prices, with potential profit increases linked to higher proportions of premium milk sales [13] - The integration of supply chains and cost management strategies are expected to enhance profitability for leading firms [17] Company-Specific Insights - YouRan's revenue is significantly supported by stable demand from major customers like Yili, which accounts for 95% of its raw milk income [16] - The company has a diversified product range, including organic and premium milk, which helps mitigate risks associated with falling milk prices [14] - The overall industry outlook suggests that leading companies will benefit from cost reductions and a potential rebound in milk prices, with historical price cycles indicating a strong likelihood of recovery [23][24] Conclusion - The dairy industry is currently navigating a challenging environment with fluctuating prices and rising costs, but there are signs of potential recovery driven by policy support and market adjustments. Leading companies are well-positioned to capitalize on these changes through strategic management and product differentiation.

Core Viewpoint - The dairy industry is undergoing a capacity adjustment and destocking process, with a clear direction influenced by policy support, leading to potential stabilization of milk prices in the second half of the year [1] Group 1: Milk Price Cycle - The milk price cycle is influenced by multiple factors including capacity, demand, and imports, creating a cyclical relationship where milk prices affect farming profits, which in turn influence capacity [1] - Since 2008, the milk price has experienced three downward cycles and two upward cycles, with significant events like the melamine incident in 2008 impacting prices [1] Group 2: Industry Losses and Capacity Adjustment - The fresh milk price decline in 2024 has led to severe losses for farms, with a continuous destocking trend observed [2] - In 2024, the total raw milk production is projected to be 40.79 million tons, a decrease of 2.8% year-on-year, with a 4.5% decline in the number of Holstein cows [2] Group 3: 2025 Outlook - The current milk price adjustment cycle has lasted over three years, with over 80% of the industry facing losses, indicating a more severe situation than previous cycles [3] - Despite ongoing losses, policies such as fertility subsidies and student milk promotions are expected to marginally boost dairy product demand, leading to a potential stabilization of raw milk prices in the second half of 2025 [3] Group 4: Milk Price and Dairy Company Stock Performance - Historical data shows a high correlation between milk price fluctuations and stock price movements of upstream dairy companies, with stock prices often reacting ahead of milk prices [4] - During periods of rising milk prices, upstream companies are expected to benefit directly, while downstream dairy companies may experience stock price changes driven by their product structure upgrades and market expectations [4]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "OUTPERFORM" rating for China Modern Dairy [2][9][6] Core Views - The turning point for milk prices is approaching, with expectations for both volume and price increases [3][5][14] - The company has demonstrated significant cost control, leading to an industry-leading ability to reduce costs [4][13] - The industry is experiencing a pronounced Matthew effect, with the company gaining market share despite overall declines in milk production [5][14] Financial Summary - Revenue projections for China Modern Dairy are as follows: 2025: 14.44 billion yuan, 2026: 15.28 billion yuan, 2027: 16.06 billion yuan [6][15] - Net profit attributable to shareholders is expected to be 310 million yuan in 2025, 750 million yuan in 2026, and 1.1 billion yuan in 2027 [6][15] - The gross margin for the raw milk business is projected to improve to 31.2% in 2024, up 2.8 percentage points year-on-year [4][13] Market Dynamics - The raw milk price has stabilized at 3.07 yuan per kilogram, indicating a bottom consolidation phase [3][11] - The cattle herd is decreasing at a rate of approximately 40,000 head per month, contributing to the anticipated rebound in milk prices [12][3] - The company’s raw milk sales reached 2.893 million tons in 2024, a 13.6% year-on-year increase, indicating strong performance against industry trends [5][14]

Summary of Yuran Dairy's Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Yuran Dairy - **Year**: 2024 Key Financial Performance - **Total Revenue**: Increased by 7.5% to 21 billion CNY [3] - **Overall Gross Margin**: Improved by 4.9 percentage points to 28.8% [3] - **Raw Milk Revenue**: 15.1 billion CNY, up 17% year-on-year; gross profit of 4.914 billion CNY, up 33.8% [3] - **Solution Business Revenue**: 5 billion CNY with a gross margin of 16.8% [3] - **Average Annual Yield**: Increased by 5% to 12.6 tons per farm [3] Industry Insights - **Milk Production Capacity**: National milk production capacity is on a downward trend [5] - **Consumer Stimulus Policies**: Expected to improve supply-demand balance [5] - **Cost Structure**: Cost of milk sold per kilogram is 2.77 CNY, with feed costs accounting for 76% [6] - **Raw Material Prices**: Slight fluctuations expected in 2025 due to weak demand [6] Operational Efficiency - **Cost Control**: Yuran Dairy maintains cost targets through technical measures and operational optimization [7][8] - **Long-term Contracts**: Agreements with major clients ensure stable pricing and volume [3][18] Future Outlook - **Production Goals for 2025**: Targeting an average yield of 13 tons, with expected double-digit growth in production [5][11] - **Capital Expenditure**: Expected to decrease to under 600 million CNY in 2025 [22] - **Cow Herd Growth**: Anticipated to reach over 650,000 by the end of 2025 [12] Market Dynamics - **Milk Price Trends**: Prices are expected to stabilize above 2 CNY per kilogram in 2025, reflecting improved supply-demand dynamics [13] - **Impact of Tariffs**: Tariffs have limited impact on soybean meal prices; corn is primarily sourced domestically [6][10] - **Industry Consolidation**: Larger farms are better positioned to manage costs compared to smaller farms [9][16] Challenges and Risks - **Net Loss**: Company reported a net loss of 1.69 billion CNY, though this represents a 34% reduction in losses year-on-year [4] - **Cash Flow**: Cash flow improved significantly, with free cash flow turning positive [4] Strategic Initiatives - **Acquisition Strategy**: No major acquisitions planned; focus on organic growth and herd expansion [23] - **Dividend Policy**: Future dividends will depend on cash flow performance [25] Conclusion Yuran Dairy has demonstrated resilience in a challenging market, achieving growth in revenue and operational efficiency while navigating cost pressures and market dynamics. The company is well-positioned for future growth with strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing production and maintaining financial stability.