Hohhot – world dairy capital
Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China, was named the "World Dairy Capital" at the 2026 World Dairy Conference. When the steppe that has fed nomads for centuries becomes the centre of global dairy production, and Chinese brands Yili and Mengniu set standards for the entire planet, conventional notions of "dairy regions" are turned upside down. Hohhot, located in the heart of Inner Mongolia, did not receive the title of "World Dairy Capital" by chance – behind it lie not only rich pastures and centuries‑old traditions, but also 300 billion yuan in annual revenue, innovative technologies and ambitious sustainability goals. This recognition is not a final point but a signal to the world: China is not just catching up, it is setting trends in one of the most important sectors of the food industry, where quality, ecology and science go hand in hand.
The two‑day event, which concluded in the city on Sunday, brought together leaders of international industry associations, scientists and heads of the world's largest dairy networks to chart a course for sustainable development in the sector. Thanks to its abundant natural resources, Hohhot is home to the headquarters of two of the world's leading dairy companies – Yili Group and Mengniu Group. In 2025, the revenue of the city's entire dairy industry exceeded 300 billion yuan, or about US$42 billion. "Hohhot has huge potential and extensive natural resources. In fact, it could become a centre for dairy production, and not only production but also innovation, as well as a front line of global development, with the aim of ensuring sustainability, reducing the carbon footprint and addressing a number of other issues that should concern consumers and the world. Hohhot and the entire dairy industry have really made a remarkable step forward, and I think they deserve it," said Pavinee Chinachoti, President‑Elect of the International Union of Food Science and Technology. "I am here for the first time, but what I really see are the pastures, the greenery, the rains, which are essentially the beginning of everything. It is about feeding the cow and where this delicious liquid milk comes from. Globally, the industry faces many challenges. At the same time, there is a lot of dynamism here. Innovation, technology, a constant search for new scientific achievements to move forward. When I look at how Yili and Mengniu are working in this area of innovation and technology, it is simply incredible," said Laurence Richen, Managing Director of the International Dairy Federation.
Meanwhile, world‑renowned dairy companies such as Fonterra and Tetra Pak also visited the city to explore further cross‑border cooperation opportunities. "China's dairy industry has made remarkable progress. Today, it is not only one of the world's largest dairy markets, but also an increasingly important source of innovation and leadership in the dairy sector. In China, health and nutrition needs are growing, and attention is also being paid to sustainable development goals aimed at reducing carbon emissions. High‑quality dairy products are closely linked to both of these priorities, both in terms of nutrition and sustainability," said Peter McBride, Chairman of the Fonterra Board.
Inner Mongolia has traditionally been associated with livestock farming, and Hohhot, as its capital, has become a natural cluster for milk processing. The success of Yili and Mengniu, now among the world's top ten dairy companies, is the result of years of investment in research, automation and quality control. International recognition in the form of the "World Dairy Capital" title opens up new opportunities for exporting Chinese dairy products and attracting foreign investment. At the same time, the environmental agenda is a key challenge: companies are already implementing programmes to reduce methane emissions and use renewable energy on farms. The conference in Hohhot confirmed that the future of the dairy industry lies in sustainable development, where economic efficiency does not conflict with care for nature.
As CCTV+ reports, the awarding of the "World Dairy Capital" status to Hohhot was not only a tribute to the past but also a confident look to the future, where Chinese producers intend to play a leading role in shaping global standards of quality, innovation and environmental responsibility.
