Core Insights - Yakult is facing significant operational challenges in China, as evidenced by the closure of its first factory in Guangzhou on November 30, following the shutdown of its Shanghai factory in December 2023. This indicates a strategic shift to optimize production and resource management [1][3][4] Company Overview - Yakult entered the Chinese market in 2002 and quickly gained popularity with its "small red bottle" product. The Guangzhou factory, established in June 2002, was the first in China, with a total production capacity of 6 million bottles per day across three factories [2][3] Recent Developments - The closure of the Guangzhou factory is part of a broader strategy to enhance competitiveness and sustainability in the Chinese market. The company aims to consolidate its operations from three factories to two to improve production efficiency and resource allocation [3][4] Sales Performance - Yakult's sales have significantly declined, with daily sales in the first half of 2025 reported at 447.2 million bottles, a slight increase from 426.7 million bottles in the same period of 2024, but still far below the peak of 760.9 million bottles [4][6] - The average sales volume for the Guangzhou factory in early 2025 was 149 million bottles per day, a stark contrast to 282 million bottles in 2021 [4] Market Competition - The competitive landscape has intensified, with domestic giants like Mengniu and Yili increasing their market share, further squeezing Yakult's position. The overall market for yogurt drinks has seen a decline in both average price and market share from 2022 to 2024 [4][6][9] Industry Challenges - The yogurt drink category has been experiencing sluggish growth, with a downward trend in both average price and market share among leading brands, including Yakult, Mengniu, and Wahaha [6][8] - Yakult's health claims, once a strong selling point, are losing credibility among consumers who now perceive the product as overly sweet and less healthy due to high sugar content [8] Innovation and Product Development - Despite attempts to innovate with new product lines, such as low-sugar options and flavored variants, Yakult has struggled to break out of the traditional yogurt drink category, limiting its growth potential [7][8] - The company has not effectively addressed changing consumer preferences, which has hindered its ability to compete against emerging local brands that are diversifying their product offerings [9][10]