Yili Group Leads Functional Dairy Innovation at Global Congress

Dr. Ignatius Szeto, Vice President of Yili Group, headlined the event by outlining how high-value nutritional solutions are reshaping the industry. During a session on the future of dairy, Szeto argued that precision nutrition serves as the primary growth driver, allowing manufacturers to move beyond general consumption toward products specifically engineered for digestive health, blood sugar management, and sports immunity.

The company’s commitment to this segment was validated by its performance in the 2026 World Dairy Innovation Awards, where it earned 19 total honors. The Changqing Lemon & Oat Popping Beads Probiotic Yogurt took the title of Best Yogurt, while Gonglao's Hulunbuir Strain Milk Skin Yogurt was named Best Artisan Product. This recognition marks the seventh consecutive year Yili has been honored at the congress, a feat Richard Hall, Chairman of the Global Dairy Congress, cited as evidence of the Chinese dairy sector’s global leadership.

Beyond the awards, Yili’s exhibition booth highlighted a portfolio spanning bone health, cardiovascular care, and gastrointestinal nutrition. This specialized focus is yielding tangible financial results; according to the company's 2025 reporting, new product lines now account for 16.4% of total revenue. By aligning its R&D with granular consumer insights, Yili continues to integrate health-focused dairy into broader life-stage consumption scenarios.