#China #Hong Kong #Yili Group #Infant Formula #Pro-Kido

Yili Group’s Expansion with Pro-Kido Launch in Hong Kong

On May 20, 2025, the Yili Group held a significant product launch event in Hong Kong to celebrate the introduction of its infant formula brand, Pro-Kido, into the local market. Yili, recognized as the leading milk powder brand in China, has seen Pro-Kido emerge as a frontrunner within its range of infant nutrition products. This launch marks a strategic step towards enhancing Yili's global presence and signifies a new phase in the internationalization of Chinese dairy products.

Building Strategic Partnerships

At the launch event, Yili announced a strategic partnership with Mannings, the largest health and beauty retailer in Hong Kong. This collaboration aims to boost Yili's local market penetration while leveraging Mannings' extensive retail network. Zhang Yipeng, Vice President of Yili Group, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Yili views Hong Kong as an international gateway and is eager to collaborate with global partners to seize new opportunities and offer consumers worldwide high-quality, nutritious, and delicious products."

Innovations in Maternal and Infant Nutrition

Dr. Ignatius Szeto, Deputy President of Yili Group and head of the Yili Global Maternal and Infant Nutrition Research Center, presented the company's comprehensive "Four-in-One" nutritional strategy. He shared the latest findings from the HMO+ innovation ecosystem, highlighting the release of a white paper titled Key Achievements in Breast Milk Research, which outlines 13 significant discoveries, including an exact profile of the amino acid composition of Chinese breast milk and the relationship between HMOs and infants' gut microbiota. Professor Paul Moughan, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in New Zealand, commended Yili for its dedication and strict adherence to scientific guidelines, recognizing its contributions to the global landscape of maternal and child health research.

Commitment to Quality

The new Pro-Kido Aronurish infant formula is produced at Yili's Modern Intelligence Health Valley in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. This state-of-the-art facility integrates equipment and technology from over ten countries, setting industry-leading standards in scale, innovation, and digital intelligence. Yili has developed a global supply chain network with more than 2,000 partners, emphasizing its commitment to quality standards. Barry Cole, Global Director of Application Management for Infant Nutrition at GEA Group, highlighted the importance of their 25-year collaboration, focused on establishing benchmark factories that ensure product quality through the highest technological standards.

Ensuring Safety and Compliance

The Aronurish infant formula has undergone over 300 quality and safety tests, all of which have met international standards. Wu Zhijun, President of Eurofins Scientific Group (China), affirmed Yili's rigorous testing procedures and commitment to safety.

Continuous Global Expansion

Yili leverages its robust international industrial network to provide healthy products and solutions to consumers worldwide. As part of the new partnership with Mannings, Pro-Kido’s Aronurish infant formula will be available in all Mannings stores across Hong Kong. Margaret Lau, Head of Baby Care, Confectioneries, and GMS at Mannings HK, noted that Pro-Kido is the first infant formula brand made in China to be integrated into Mannings’ offerings, highlighting the retailer's commitment to providing a broader range of high-quality health solutions.

As Asia’s leading dairy brand, Yili has accelerated its global reach and business expansion, transitioning from a follower to a global leader in the dairy sector. The company reported a total revenue of 115.78 billion RMB in FY2024, including 29.675 billion RMB from milk powder and related dairy products, marking a year-on-year increase of 7.53%. While maintaining its leading position in domestic milk powder sales, Yili also noted a significant 68% increase in overseas infant formula sales, showcasing its successful international strategies.