Global dairy leader Yili Group hosted the official opening of the 2026 World Dairy Industry Conference on 1 August in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. Centred on the theme of "Technology-driven, Partnership Oriented, Co-building a Sustainable Global Dairy Ecosystem", the international forum convened global industry associations, academic researchers, and senior executives across the dairy supply chain.

The conference highlighted Hohhot's formal designation as the World Dairy Capital alongside the deployment of new digital intelligence infrastructure and technological advancements designed to enhance sustainability, processing efficiency, and supply chain integration.

World Dairy Capital Recognition

During the opening ceremony, the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) formally presented Hohhot with the World Dairy Capital plaque and commemorative award.

Vision for a Sustainable Ecosystem

Delivering the keynote address titled Shared Value, Mutual Harmony, Building a New Global Dairy Ecosystem, Pan Gang, Chairman and President of Yili Group, outlined the enterprise's strategic framework for addressing global supply chain restructuring, climate commitments, and rapid technological shifts.

Pan Gang emphasised that sector-wide transformation relies on building interconnected research networks and unified digital ecosystems rather than isolated corporate initiatives. He highlighted Yili's ongoing commitment to integrating digital intelligence across both vertical operational tiers and horizontal industry partnerships to establish a transparent, full-chain digital-intelligent network.

Data Intelligence and Tech Innovation Breakthroughs

The event served as the commercial launchpad for two major digital intelligence initiatives: the China (Global) Dairy Data Intelligent Hub and the Global Dairy High-Quality Datasets Factory. The platforms are engineered to process supply chain data, optimise agricultural inputs, and support predictive operational modelling across dairy enterprises.

Additionally, the China National Technology Innovation Center for Dairy (NTICD) revealed its Top 10 Innovation Achievements of 2026, targeting critical operational challenges across the dairy value chain:

🐄 Dairy Cow Breeding: Precision genetic selection and herd management platforms.

🌾 Feed Optimisation: Advanced feed reduction and alternative ingredient substitution technologies.

🔬 Human Milk Probiotics: Research and isolation of targeted probiotic strains for nutritional applications.

🥛 Lactoferrin Processing: Scaled manufacturing systems for high-purity lactoferrin extraction.

🔍 End-to-End Inspection: Automated computer-vision and sensor technology for real-time quality assurance.

♻️ Packaging Circularity: Advanced chemical and mechanical recycling frameworks for high-quality packaging materials.

The technological reveals demonstrate an increasing commitment among Asian dairy major operators to deploy scalable research and digital infrastructure across the global agricultural ecosystem.