China Dairy Processing Equipment Market Overview, 2030

China’s Dairy Processing Equipment relies on advanced processing technologies to transform raw milk into high-value products such as UHT milk, yogurt, infant formula, and cheese, catering to both urban consumers and export markets. The market is characterized by a unique blend of domestic manufacturing prowess and imported high-tech solutions, with Chinese companies like SPXFLOW China, GEA China, and local players like JIMEI Group leading the charge in equipment innovation. The industry has rebounded strongly from past food safety scandals, now operating under some of the world's strictest regulatory frameworks, including GB standards and SAMR certifications, ensuring product safety from farm to table. With rising disposable incomes and shifting consumer preferences toward premium, functional, and imported dairy products, Chinese processors are investing heavily in automated pasteurization lines, aseptic filling systems, and intelligent membrane filtration technologies. Government initiatives like the Made in China 2025 plan and the Dairy Revitalization Plan further accelerate the adoption of smart manufacturing and sustainable processing methods. Coupled with China's dominance in milk powder production and growing exports under the Belt and Road Initiative, the dairy processing equipment market is poised for sustained growth, merging cutting-edge automation with China's ambitious food security goals. A Brief Insight China's dairy processing equipment industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from rudimentary state-owned dairy plants in the 1980s to today's highly automated, globally competitive sector. The Dairy Industry Regulation and Development Policy further mandated traceability systems, HACCP compliance, and equipment sterilization protocols, pushing manufacturers to adopt European-grade hygienic designs. Recent policies, such as the Infant Formula Registration System, have elevated processing standards, requiring dedicated production lines for baby milk powder.

According to the research report China dairy processing equipment Market Overview, 2030, published by Bonafide Research, the China dairy processing equipment Market is anticipated to grow at more than 5.47% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The China dairy processing equipment market is surging, fueled by rising health consciousness, urbanization, and government-backed modernization programs. A key trend is the shift toward smart factories, integrating AI-driven quality control, IoT-enabled pasteurizers, and robotic packaging lines to boost efficiency in mega-dairies like Mengniu and Yili. The infant formula sector, a national priority, demands high-precision spray dryers and nano-filtration systems to meet stringent GB 10765-2021 standards. Another major driver is the exploding demand for yogurt and cheese, spurring investments in fermentation tanks, homogenizers, and automated slicing machines. Trade programs play a pivotal role, with the Belt and Road Initiative facilitating exports of Chinese-made equipment to Southeast Asia and Africa, while free trade agreements reduce tariffs on imported components from the EU and Japan. Domestically, the National Dairy Quality Enhancement Project subsidizes equipment upgrades for SMEs, and the Dairy Industry Cluster Development Plan promotes regional processing hubs in Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang. Sustainability is also gaining traction, with zero-discharge evaporators and solar-powered CIP systems reducing water/energy use. However, challenges like overcapacity in milk powder production and reliance on imported high-end machinery persist. Despite this, China's market thrives on R&D investments (20% annual growth in patent filings) and a dual-track strategy serving mass-market dairy while expanding into premium A2 milk and probiotic products ensuring its dominance in Asia's dairy processing revolution.

Pasteurizers dominate, with HTST systems for fresh milk and UHT units for shelf-stable products, featuring energy-recovery heat exchangers to cut costs. Homogenizers, critical for yogurt and infant formula, now incorporate VFD controls to adjust pressure dynamically, reducing energy use by 25%. Separators, especially self-cleaning centrifugal models, are widely used in skim milk and whey processing, with domestic brands like JIMEI competing with GEA in mid-range markets. Evaporators & Dryers are the backbone of China’s milk powder industry (the world’s largest), utilizing multi-effect falling-film evaporators and tall-form spray dryers to maximize output. Mixing & Blending Equipment, such as high-shear emulsifiers, ensures uniformity in plant-based dairy alternatives, a fast-growing niche. Membrane Filtration Equipment is revolutionizing whey protein and lactose-free milk production, with ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) systems now locally manufactured. Other key equipment includes aseptic filling machines for ambient-stable products and cheese molding presses for emerging artisan producers. China’s market uniquely blends cost-effective domestic machinery with imported high-end tech, catering to everything from state-owned mega-dairies to specialty goat milk processors.

Milk Processing dominates the market, a testament to the popularity of UHT milk, which boasts 70% penetration in urban areas due to its extended shelf life and convenience. Cheese Production, although in its early stages driven by growing consumer interest in Western-style dairy products; this segment relies on specialized equipment like stretching machines for mozzarella and brine tanks for cheddar to meet increasing demand. Yogurt Production thrives, especially for premium SKUs, leveraging advanced fermentation tanks equipped with automated pH controls and systems for the inclusion of fruit and other additives. Butter & Cream Processing remains niche but benefits from high-fat separators tailored for producing export-grade products that cater to global markets. Meanwhile, Milk Powder & Whey Processing positions China as a global leader, utilizing cutting-edge instantizing agglomerators for high-quality infant formula and electrodialysis technology for demineralized whey, essential for specialized nutritional applications. Other Dairy Products, such as Milk Tea Bases and Probiotic Drinks, capitalize on the combination of UHT processing and aseptic filling techniques to ensure extended shelf life and maintain product quality. Moreover, the market exhibits remarkable adaptability, ranging from large-scale milk powder manufacturing plants designed to meet industrial demands to innovative small-batch facilities crafting products like yak milk cheese to cater to niche segments.

Dairy Processing Plants dominate the market relying on high-capacity machinery to cater to large-scale operations. Mega-players like Yili and Mengniu exemplify this tier with their fully automated, state-of-the-art “lights-out” factories equipped with imported Tetra Pak lines, enabling efficient and consistent production. Regional dairies, while operating on a smaller scale, utilize cost-effective semi-automated domestic equipment to maintain competitiveness and affordability. SMEs include producers of goat milk and organic dairy products, which are gaining traction due to evolving consumer preferences for healthier and sustainable options. These businesses often employ modular pasteurizers and small-scale membrane filters to meet their unique processing needs, with support from provincial government subsidies that help alleviate financial constraints. The smallest tier, Farm-Level Processing caters to localized demands and niche products. Although significantly diminished following the 2008 industry reforms, farm-level operations are witnessing a revival through cooperative models, especially in remote areas like Xinjiang and Tibet. These cooperative setups benefit from innovative solutions such as mobile milk chillers and mini-spray dryers, which are essential for maintaining freshness and producing powdered products under challenging conditions.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Dairy Processing Equipment Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type:
• Pasteurizers
• Homogenizers.
• Separators.
• Evaporators & Dryers
• Mixing & Blending Equipment
• Membrane Filtration Equipment
• others

By Application
• Milk Processing
• Cheese Production
• Yogurt Production
• Butter & Cream Processing
• Milk Powder & Whey Processing
• Other Dairy Products

By End User
• Dairy Processing Plants
• Small & Medium Enterprises
• Farm-Level Processing Units

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.