Core Viewpoint - The Chinese dairy industry is undergoing a significant strategic transformation, shifting from a "scale expansion" model reliant on market penetration and capacity expansion to a "value enhancement" model focused on technological innovation, product differentiation, and value chain extension [5][6]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The B-end dairy market is emerging as a new growth point, attracting major players like Mengniu and Yili, as the C-end market becomes saturated and competition intensifies [6][9]. - The total scale of the B-end dairy market has expanded to a trillion-level, driven by the rapid rise of coffee, baking, and tea industries, which have a growing demand for dairy products [9][12]. - The coffee market alone is projected to see a sales volume of 3.3 billion cups in 2023, with a growth rate of 37.5%, expected to reach 5 billion cups by 2025 [9][12]. Group 2: Domestic Market Trends - The domestic B-end market, particularly for high-end products like cream and cheese, has been dominated by international brands, with a domestic replacement rate of less than 30% [13][15]. - Domestic dairy companies are making strides in technology and production processes, which is breaking the previous dominance of foreign brands [13][15]. - The average price of fresh milk in major producing provinces has decreased, providing a cost advantage for domestic dairy companies in the B-end market [16]. Group 3: Competitive Strategies - Major dairy companies are rapidly expanding their B-end business through partnerships with restaurant chains and other strategies [20][21]. - Mengniu has launched a professional catering brand and focused on specific product lines to meet diverse professional needs [21][23]. - Yili has established a professional dairy application innovation center and expanded its B2B platform to enhance its B-end market presence [23][24]. Group 4: Challenges and Opportunities - The B-end market offers stable customer bases and large order volumes, which can lead to lower production costs and more direct market insights for dairy companies [27]. - However, competition in the B-end market is distinct from the C-end, focusing on product specialization, customization, and supply chain efficiency [29][30]. - Barriers to entry, such as technology, scale, and brand reputation, make it challenging for new entrants to compete effectively in the B-end market [32].

Core Insights - The Chinese dairy industry is undergoing a significant strategic transformation, shifting from a "scale expansion" model reliant on market penetration and capacity expansion to a "value enhancement" model focused on technological innovation, product differentiation, and value chain extension [1] - The B-end dairy market is emerging as a new growth point, attracting major players like Mengniu and Yili, as competition in the C-end market becomes increasingly saturated [1][4] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The B-end dairy market has shown robust growth, with its total scale expanding to a trillion-level market, driven by rising demand from industries like coffee, baking, and tea [4][7] - The coffee market alone is projected to see a sales volume of 3.3 billion cups in 2023, with a growth rate of 37.5%, expected to reach 5 billion cups by 2025 [4][7] - The baking market is also thriving, with a retail market size of 611.07 billion yuan in 2024, anticipated to grow to 859.56 billion yuan by 2029, providing substantial application space for dairy products [7] Group 2: Domestic Market Trends - The trend of domestic substitution in the B-end dairy market is accelerating, with domestic brands gradually breaking the dominance of international brands in high-end products like cream and cheese [8][10] - Currently, 70% to 80% of the B-end market share is still held by imported brands, but domestic companies are gaining ground due to shorter supply chains and better responsiveness to local market needs [10][12] - Anti-dumping policies have created a favorable environment for domestic companies, allowing them to compete more effectively against foreign brands [10][12] Group 3: Competitive Strategies - Major dairy companies are rapidly expanding their B-end market presence through partnerships with food service companies and tailored product offerings [15][21] - Mengniu has launched a professional catering brand, focusing on high-quality dairy ingredients for various sectors, while Yili has established an innovation center to cater to diverse B-end customer needs [15][17] - Companies like Junlebao are focusing on high-value deep processing areas, collaborating with leading tea brands to explore B-end business opportunities [19][21] Group 4: Challenges and Considerations - The B-end market, while promising, presents unique competitive challenges compared to the C-end market, where product specialization and customization capabilities are critical [23][24] - Efficient supply chain management is vital for B-end clients, as any delays can significantly impact operations and brand reputation [24][26] - Barriers to entry, such as technological, scale, and brand reputation, make it difficult for new entrants to compete effectively in the B-end market [26][27]