China-NZ dairy ties deepen as infant nutrition race escalates

Summary

On 8 October, New Zealand's a2 Milk Company held a product launch at its a2 Pokeno integrated nutrition manufacturing facility on New Zealand's North Island, unveiling two new infant formula products for the Chinese market and announcing continued investment in product innovation and quality systems in China. David Bortolussi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of a2 Milk Company, spoke at the launch. Dairy is a pillar of China-New Zealand trade and economic co-operation, and New Zealand has long ranked among the top sources of China's dairy imports.

According to company executives, a2 Milk holds more than 130 related patents globally around A2-type protein; the raw milk from its supplier herds contains only A2 beta-casein and no A1 protein. The molecular structure of A2 beta-casein is closer to the natural beta-casein in human breast milk, and it is the core scientific foundation on which the company has built a full product range over 26 years. In 2013, a2 Milk Company entered the Chinese market with infant formula products through a strategic partnership with China State Farms Holdings Shanghai Co.

, Ltd. The company says it has ranked among China's top five infant formula brands since 2024.

Commentary

a2 Milk Company's latest product launch and increased investment in China reflect New Zealand dairy firms' deep reliance on the Chinese market and their strategic adjustments. As the world's largest dairy importer, China's infant formula market is undergoing structural change: a declining birth rate has slowed overall volume growth, but consumer demand for science-based nutrition and functional formulations is rising, with differentiated products such as A2-type protein becoming growth engines. With more than 130 patents and 26 years of research, a2 has become one of China's top five brands.

Its channel partnership model with China State Farms offers a reference for smaller New Zealand firms: entering complex distribution networks through local partners rather than going it alone. On the other hand, domestic Chinese brands such as Feihe and Yili are also accelerating premiumisation, and regulatory policies such as the formula registration system have raised barriers to entry. For smaller New Zealand dairy firms seeking a share, building technical barriers in niche segments (such as organic, grass-fed or specific functional products) and focusing on asset-light channels such as cross-border e-commerce will be essential.

Giants such as Fonterra still dominate ingredient supply, but branding and higher-value products are where the profit lies. a2's integrated production model at Pokeno also highlights the importance of localising supply chains to address geopolitical and logistics risks. For smaller New Zealand business owners, the window of opportunity in China has not closed, but competition has shifted from resource endowments to technological innovation and consumer insight.

Keywords: a2 Milk Company, infant formula, A2-type protein, China-New Zealand dairy co-operation, Chinese market, product launch, a2 Pokeno facility, China State Farms Holdings Shanghai Co., Ltd.

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

10月8日，新西兰a2牛奶公司在其位于新西兰北岛a2波基诺一体化营养品制造工厂召开新品发布会，发布两款面向中国市场的婴幼儿配方乳粉新品，并宣布将持续加大在华产品创新与质量体系建设投入。a2牛奶公司董事总经理兼首席执行官David Bortolussi在发布会上致辞。乳业是中新经贸合作的支柱性板块，新西兰长期位居中国乳制品进口来源地前列。

据公司相关负责人介绍，其围绕A2型蛋白质在全球拥有超过130项相关专利，企业奶源所产原乳仅含有A2型β-酪蛋白，不含有A1型蛋白质；A2型β-酪蛋白的分子结构更接近母乳天然β-酪蛋白，也是该企业深耕26年、搭建全系列产品体系的核心科学根基。2013年，a2牛奶公司通过与中国农垦控股上海有限公司战略合作，将婴幼儿配方乳粉产品引入中国市场。据公司披露，自2024年起，a2牛奶公司已跻身中国前五大婴幼儿配方乳粉品牌行列。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

a2牛奶公司此次发布新品并加大在华投入，折射出新西兰乳企对中国市场的深度依赖与战略调整。作为全球最大乳制品进口国，中国婴幼儿配方奶粉市场正经历结构性变化：出生率下降导致总量增长放缓，但消费者对科学营养、功能性配方的需求上升，A2型蛋白质等差异化产品成为增长引擎。a2公司凭借130余项专利和26年研究积累，已跻身中国前五大品牌，其与中农垦的渠道合作模式为新西兰中小企业提供了借鉴——通过本地伙伴进入复杂的分销网络，而非单打独斗。

另一方面，中国本土品牌如飞鹤、伊利也在加速高端化，且监管政策（如配方注册制）提高了市场准入门槛，新西兰中小乳企若想分一杯羹，需在细分领域（如有机、草饲、特定功能）建立技术壁垒，并关注跨境电商等轻资产渠道。恒天然等巨头仍主导原料供应，但品牌化、高附加值产品才是利润所在。a2的波基诺工厂一体化生产模式也提示供应链本地化的重要性，以应对地缘政治和物流风险。

对于新西兰中小企业主而言，中国市场的机会窗口并未关闭，但竞争已从资源禀赋转向科技创新与消费者洞察。

关键词: a2牛奶公司, 婴幼儿配方乳粉, A2型蛋白质, 中新乳业合作, 中国市场, 新品发布会, a2波基诺工厂, 中国农垦控股上海有限公司

Source: CCTV International