The move, inking agreements with companies working in areas as diverse as food processing to risk management, marks the establishment of the dairy industry's first sustainable international supply chain network, Yili said.
The deals were struck during the China International Import Expo, which was held from November 5 to 10 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China.
The CIIE promotes trade liberalization and economic globalization and aims to further open Chinese markets to the world. During CIIE, Yili exhibited eight product lines including SATINE Pure Milk, Perfectlands Milk, PRO-KIDO and Pure Nutra products imported from New Zealand.
Zhang Jianqiu, CEO of Yili Group, said, "Globalization has cultivated fertile opportunities for the agriculture industry to share resources and promote international cooperation. Now, more than ever, it's imperative for organizations to join forces, play to each other's strengths and work together to meet the health needs of people around the world.
"By building a global sustainable supply chain network, we have broadened the opportunities for cooperation in the dairy industry and contributed to the world's health ecosystem, while creating greater social value by supporting sustainable initiatives and improving the quality of health worldwide."
Partnerships signed during the Expo included Tetra Pak, a multinational food packaging and processing company; Cargill, a global food, agriculture, nutrition and risk management company dedicated to sustainable growth; and Roquette, a global plant-based ingredients supplier for food, nutrition and health.
As part of the partnership, Yili Group will source a variety of natural materials from Roquette over the next three years and continue to expand its food nutrition arm. In addition, both parties will work together to explore opportunities for new product development, technological innovation and food safety.
Chen Yehong, CEO of Roquette China, said, "Through our long-term cooperation, we have established an excellent partnership with Yili. In recent years, Roquette and the Yili Group have collaborated to quickly move from a simple supply relationship to a strategic partnership.
"By sharing our resources and knowledge, Roquette and Yili are collectively committed to building a better future for our customers around the world."
By increasing its global partnership network, Yili said it has created new platforms for cooperation between China's dairy industry and the global dairy industry, while opening up the Chinese market to international enterprises. Moving forward, Yili said it will continue to explore global sustainable development opportunities across the world.