Core Insights - The article highlights the recognition of October Rice Field (十月稻田) as the "Most Valuable Listed Company" at the 2025 Global Economic Forum, reflecting its strong brand value and competitive advantage in the family food sector [1] - The awards were based on six core dimensions: innovation, corporate governance, value creation, strategic foresight, growth potential, and social responsibility [1] Financial Performance - October Rice Field reported a strong performance in its mid-year financial results, achieving total revenue of 3.064 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 16.9% [2] - Adjusted net profit reached 294 million RMB, marking a significant year-on-year growth of 97.7% [2] - The core business of rice generated revenue of 2.066 billion RMB, up 21.0% year-on-year, while corn products contributed 433 million RMB, becoming the second-largest category [2] Product Innovation and Market Trends - The company is capitalizing on the growing trend of health-conscious eating, particularly with corn products, by launching various forms such as corn sticks and flavored corn snacks [3] - October Rice Field has developed a diversified product matrix in the snack food sector, responding to consumer demands for health, convenience, and taste [3] Sales and Distribution Strategy - The company has established a comprehensive sales network through deep integration of online and offline channels, with online revenue increasing by 3.4% to 1.837 billion RMB and offline supermarket revenue growing by 26.0% to 496 million RMB [3] - Collaborations with major e-commerce platforms and expansion into high-potential retail channels are part of the strategy to capture market opportunities [3] Brand Positioning and Marketing - October Rice Field is focusing on brand youthfulness to engage the Z and Alpha generations, implementing integrated marketing strategies that resonate with younger consumers [4] - The company has enhanced its brand positioning and communication, acting as a bridge between agriculture and industry, and between rural and urban markets [4] - The sustainable growth logic of the company's business model is expected to enhance its pricing power and profitability stability, further boosting its brand value [4]

Core Insights - The 2025 "Good Food List" announced by Zhitong Finance recognizes outstanding food brands that adhere to quality, innovation, and industry trends, with October Rice Field being awarded "Annual Corn Brand" for its healthy and tasty corn products [1][2] Industry Overview - Driven by sustained consumer vitality, China's food ingredient market is projected to reach 10.56 trillion yuan in 2024, marking a 12.7% year-on-year growth, indicating a new development phase for the food industry [2] - There is a growing awareness of healthy eating, shifting consumer focus from "eating enough" to "eating well" and "eating healthily," leading to a rapid development of whole grain foods, with corn being favored for its natural health properties [2] Company Performance - October Rice Field's corn category revenue reached 433 million yuan, becoming the second-largest core category, supported by its recognition as the leading corn brand in China for two consecutive years by Frost & Sullivan [2][7] - The company has established three corn industry bases in Liaoning, Heilongjiang, and Guangxi, ensuring a stable supply of high-quality corn products through a comprehensive supply chain [7] Product Innovation - October Rice Field has successfully diversified its corn product offerings, including instant corn segments and fruit corn kernels, expanding into the snack food and single-serving market [9] - The company has effectively engaged with younger consumers by promoting corn as a new social symbol, capitalizing on trends like "weight management" due to corn's dietary fiber and low-calorie content [10] Marketing Strategies - During the 2025 new corn launch, October Rice Field targeted high-potential offline scenarios and collaborated with the game "Cat and Soup," reaching 70 million young players with four co-branded products [11] - The brand has utilized content marketing, e-commerce visual upgrades, and live interactions to create an immersive experience for young consumers, reinforcing its image as a "corn expert" and enhancing its industry influence [13]

Core Viewpoint - The upcoming Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival highlights the role of companies like October Rice Field in supporting farmers' income and contributing to rural revitalization through integrated supply chain capabilities and innovative agricultural practices [1][2]. Group 1: Company Initiatives - October Rice Field has developed a full-chain integration capability to ensure stable supply of quality products, establishing six modern industrial bases in key grain-producing areas such as Shenyang and Wuchang [1]. - The company promotes order-based agriculture to increase farmers' income and has facilitated the creation of over 800 jobs through the "New Min Rice Express+" project, which generated over 200 million yuan in local rice production value in 2022 [2]. Group 2: Economic and Social Impact - October Rice Field has achieved a balance between social value and economic benefits by driving farmers' income through order agriculture and providing agricultural technology guidance, resulting in an average annual income increase of over 100,000 yuan per family for farmers transitioning to industrial workers [2]. - From 2020 to 2024, the company has procured over 14 billion yuan in raw grain, with over 80% of employees at its Xinchang factory being local farmers [2]. Group 3: Product Innovation - The company has restructured its product value chain by innovating in product categories, such as transforming corn into various health-oriented snack products, which has led to corn category revenue reaching 433 million yuan, making it the company's second-largest core category [3].

Group 1 - The rise of snack stores is a significant consumer trend in China, comparable to the popularity of milk tea shops [1][2] - Snack stores primarily cater to consumers outside of first-tier cities, tapping into a vast market [2][3] - The appeal of snack stores lies in their variety and affordability, allowing consumers to purchase multiple flavors at a low cost [3][5] Group 2 - Snack stores fulfill two consumer desires: the craving for variety and the need for affordable indulgence [5][6] - The low investment and operational requirements make snack stores attractive for franchisees, contributing to their rapid expansion [10][11] - The uniform demand for snacks across different regions facilitates quicker establishment of snack stores compared to restaurants [12][13] Group 3 - Despite their growth, snack stores face challenges, particularly low profit margins, with "Mingming Hen Mang" reporting a gross margin of 7.5% and a net profit margin of 2% [14][15] - The average gross margin for franchisees in the snack industry is around 20%, while the parent company retains a lower margin [16] Group 4 - The entry of new players, such as "Chayan Yuesheng," a well-known milk tea brand, into the snack market indicates the sector's attractiveness [21][22] - Chayan Yuesheng's strategy involves developing its own snack products, differentiating itself from typical snack stores that rely on existing brands [24][26] - The brand's expertise in flavor development from its milk tea business enhances its ability to create appealing snack products [27][28] Group 5 - Chayan Yuesheng's expansion into snacks is a response to local market saturation and aims to attract repeat customers [30][31] - The integration of snack offerings at milk tea locations allows for cross-selling opportunities, enhancing customer experience [34][36] - The ability to sell self-branded snacks through e-commerce platforms broadens market reach beyond local areas [37][38] Group 6 - Chayan Yuesheng's approach of combining high-margin milk tea with low-margin snacks can improve overall profitability [41]