YILI(SH:600887)2026-02-03 02:05Summary of Yili Co., Ltd. Conference Call Company Overview - Company: Yili Co., Ltd. - Industry: Dairy Products Key Points Revenue and Growth Expectations - Yili expects its ambient liquid milk business to achieve positive revenue growth by 2026, driven by the continued growth of yogurt, the launch of new white milk products, and the combination of cost-effective products with emerging channels [2][5] - If the industry experiences significant decline, Yili will prioritize profitability over revenue growth [2][5] Product Strategy - The company plans to optimize its product mix, increasing the share of adult nutrition products, deep processing products (like cheese), and international business to enhance overall gross margin and profitability [2][6] - Adult nutrition products are expected to maintain rapid growth, with plans to expand into non-powder products like protein powder and cautiously advance into functional health foods [2][8] Deep Processing Business - Yili aims for its deep processing business to reach a scale of 10 billion in the next five years, focusing on high-value products such as protein isolates and cheese [2][12] - The current deep processing business is at approximately 6 billion, with domestic sales around 2 billion and Westland contributing about 4 billion [12] Market Conditions and Pricing - Raw milk prices are expected to gradually rise in 2026, improving supply-demand dynamics, although small dairy enterprises may face increased costs [17] - Promotional activities are expected to decrease, positively impacting gross margins, but rising milk prices may have a negative effect, leading to stable overall gross margins [17] Inventory Management - Yili has actively reduced inventory levels since Q2 2024, with current dealer inventory around 20 days, and is focusing on natural sales rather than excessive stocking for the New Year [3] Channel Strategy - The company will adjust channel support policies based on market conditions, emphasizing cost efficiency [4] - Yili plans to replicate successful models in Southeast Asia and explore cold drink business opportunities in Africa, while collaborating with Ausnutria to share international supply chain resources [4][19] Emerging Channels - Emerging channels are generally profitable, with variations among them; membership stores show stronger profitability compared to bulk snack stores [23] - Yili aims to balance emerging and traditional channels, focusing on consumer engagement and customized products [24] Baby Formula Business - The 2025 fertility subsidy plan positively impacted the baby formula business, contributing to double-digit growth despite a declining birth rate [25] - Yili will continue to invest in customer acquisition strategies, even without the subsidy, to maintain growth in the baby formula segment [25] Capital Expenditure - Yili's capital expenditure for 2026 is projected at around 4 billion, with over 2 billion allocated for maintenance and the remainder for new projects [26] International Expansion - Yili plans to expand into other Southeast Asian countries and explore cold drink opportunities in Africa, adapting products to local climates [20] - The company will consider both self-built and acquisition strategies for market entry, depending on local conditions [21][22] Functional Health Products - Yili has introduced new functional products like protein powder and spore oil, targeting the aging population and leveraging e-commerce for initial sales [10] Collaboration with Tongrentang - The collaboration with Tongrentang on high-value products has shown positive results, contributing better margins [11] This summary encapsulates the key insights from Yili Co., Ltd.'s conference call, highlighting the company's strategic direction, market conditions, and growth initiatives.