Interview: IDF chief hails China's dairy innovation, calls for deeper China-Europe collaboration

This undated file photo shows the intelligent and digitalized production line at Yili Modern Intelligent Health Valley in Tumd Left Banner in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Laurence Rycken, director general of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), has praised China's progress in dairy innovation and scientific research, highlighting the complementarity and strong potential for deeper collaboration between the Chinese and European diary industries.(Xinhua)

AMSTERDAM, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Laurence Rycken, director general of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), has praised China's progress in dairy innovation and scientific research, highlighting the complementarity and strong potential for deeper collaboration between the Chinese and European diary industries.

In an interview with Xinhua during the 18th Global Dairy Congress, which concluded on Thursday, Rycken noted China's growing demand for dairy products and its strengths in automation and smart manufacturing -- areas that complement Europe's traditional expertise in dairy production.

She also emphasized the potential for deeper collaboration between China and traditional dairy markets in Europe.

Stressing the importance of dairy at all life stages, particularly in aging societies, where nutrition plays a central role in long-term health, she said China, with its large and increasingly health-conscious population, represents a major growth market.

"I think that's really the biggest opportunity that lies ahead for the global dairy markets, where those different markets bring together their own knowledge," she said.

Rycken explained that each market brings unique strengths. While Europe boasts deep-rooted dairy traditions, such as fermented products and cheeses, China has made rapid strides in innovation and technology.

Founded in 1903, the IDF is a leading international dairy organization representing 40 member countries, whose collective milk production accounts for two-thirds of the global total. The IDF plays a pivotal role in setting international dairy standards and promoting scientific collaboration.

Rycken emphasized the IDF's commitment to unifying global standards and advancing food safety and environmental sustainability throughout the dairy supply chain.

"Our federation is really about science and standards developing," she said.

Reflecting on her first visit to China in May for the 2025 China Dairy Tech Expo in Nanjing, capital of eastern China's Jiangsu Province, Rycken expressed admiration for the country's innovation ecosystem.

She said she was "fascinated" to see how Chinese companies were leveraging technology to enhance product accessibility and diversify dairy consumption scenarios, from bottled drinks to milk teas.

At the Global Dairy Congress, Chinese companies including Yili Group have won different categories of the World Dairy Innovation Awards. Yili, in particular, has received awards for the sixth consecutive year and holds more awards than any other Chinese company.

Yili is truly "an example of how elements can be done," successfully integrating environmental, social, and economic factors into a comprehensive sustainability strategy, Rycken said. Their "roadmap to sustainability" reflects this holistic approach.

In April, the IDF organized a field visit to Yili's Health Valley and the National Dairy Technology Innovation Center in Hohhot, the capital of China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Rycken said member representatives were deeply impressed by the widespread use of robotics and AI throughout Yili's dairy production processes.

Looking ahead, Rycken sees vast potential for expanded cooperation between the IDF and China, particularly in three key areas: green and sustainable dairy development, nutrition and health, and talent development.

It's crucial that we work together to attract and train the next generation of dairy science professionals in this "vibrant, very attractive sector with a lot of potentials," she said. ■

Staff members work at the Innovation Center Europe of China's Yili Group at Wageningen University in Wageningen, the Netherlands, on June 19, 2025. Laurence Rycken, director general of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), has praised China's progress in dairy innovation and scientific research, highlighting the complementarity and strong potential for deeper collaboration between the Chinese and European diary industries.(Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

This undated file photo shows the Yili Modern Intelligent Health Valley in Tumd Left Banner in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Laurence Rycken, director general of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), has praised China's progress in dairy innovation and scientific research, highlighting the complementarity and strong potential for deeper collaboration between the Chinese and European diary industries.(Xinhua)

Laurence Rycken, director general of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), speaks during the 18th Global Dairy Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on June 18, 2025. Laurence Rycken, director general of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), has praised China's progress in dairy innovation and scientific research, highlighting the complementarity and strong potential for deeper collaboration between the Chinese and European diary industries.(Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

This photo taken on June 18, 2025 shows a scene during the 18th Global Dairy Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Laurence Rycken, director general of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), has praised China's progress in dairy innovation and scientific research, highlighting the complementarity and strong potential for deeper collaboration between the Chinese and European diary industries.(Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

This photo taken on June 18, 2025 shows different categories of the World Dairy Innovation Awards won by China's Yili Group at the 18th Global Dairy Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Laurence Rycken, director general of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), has praised China's progress in dairy innovation and scientific research, highlighting the complementarity and strong potential for deeper collaboration between the Chinese and European diary industries.(Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

A staff member works at the Innovation Center Europe of China's Yili Group at Wageningen University in Wageningen, the Netherlands, on June 19, 2025. Laurence Rycken, director general of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), has praised China's progress in dairy innovation and scientific research, highlighting the complementarity and strong potential for deeper collaboration between the Chinese and European diary industries.(Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)