Yili Group: A Global Leader in the Dairy Industry

Company Overview

Yili Group is a prominent figure in the global dairy market, headquartered in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China. The company has made significant strides in the United States by opening a flagship store at the 99 Ranch Market in The Shops at Santa Anita, Los Angeles, California. This strategic move allows Yili to introduce its high-quality dairy products to American consumers.

Financial Indicators

In 2022, Yili Group reported a robust financial performance with an annual revenue of approximately $13.2 billion and a net profit of around $1.2 billion, underscoring its strong market presence and growth trajectory. In the first half of 2026, Yili recorded operating revenue of 64.33 billion yuan, an increase of 4.1% from a year earlier. Revenue from liquid milk rose 1.3% to 36.59 billion yuan, although total net profit fell by about 20% during the interim period.

Significant Events

• Opening of Flagship Store in Los Angeles: A key event in Yili's strategy to penetrate the U.S. market effectively.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: Yili collaborates with international research institutions and universities to drive innovation and enhance its product offerings.
• Award Wins: The company has been recognized with multiple awards for its product quality and innovation.
• World Dairy Industry Conference 2026: Yili organized and hosted the conference, with Pan Gang, Chairman and President, emphasizing the theme "Shared Value, Mutual Harmony, Building a New Global Dairy Ecosystem."

Company Plans

Yili Group aims to diversify its product range in the U.S. and plans to open more stores to solidify its market presence. The company is committed to investing in local supply chains and production facilities to ensure product freshness and quality. Yili also explores partnerships with local distributors to expand its network. Dedicated to sustainable growth, the company invests in environmentally friendly practices and technologies to reduce its carbon footprint.

Innovation and Research

Yili Group is at the forefront of dairy innovation, investing significantly in nutrition, breast milk research, dairy processing, and food safety. The company's New Zealand operations have shown a 16% revenue growth, indicating successful strategic agribusiness investments. Yili has partnered with Alibaba Cloud to digitize the Chinese dairy industry using AI, advancing the digital transformation of China's agricultural sector. The company is also involved with the National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy (NCTID) to enhance China's global presence in dairy innovation. Yili's appointment of Alex Turnbull as CEO of its New Zealand dairy companies highlights its commitment to leveraging New Zealand's strong dairy industry. A restructuring of its New Zealand operations aims to streamline and enhance efficiency.

Ignatius Man-Yau Szeto, Yili Group's vice president, presented on high-value functional nutrition, focusing on products for various age groups. The company is launching high-protein liquid milk products and investing in intelligent manufacturing to boost domestic production of high-value proteins like lactoferrin, casein, and whey protein. Yili Group presented a China-based whole-value-chain dairy model, describing projects involving grassland restoration, precision livestock management, and training for dairy farmers. The company introduced a grass-and-livestock system adapted to local conditions, restored degraded grassland, and applied technologies covering the full life cycle of dairy cattle.