Maeil

What Maeil does

Maeil Dairies Co., Ltd. (매일유업), founded in 1969 and listed on KOSDAQ since 1999, is South Korea's longest-established dairy processing company. It produces and distributes a broad portfolio including fresh and ESL milk, fermented dairy and Greek yogurt (Maeil Bio), soy milk (Maeil Soy Milk), oat and almond plant-based beverages (Amazing Oat, Almond Breeze), infant formula and special metabolic formulas (Absolute), coffee beverages (Barista Rules, My Cafe Latte), medical nutrition (MediWell), and health functional foods (Selex). The company also holds exclusive Korean distribution rights for international brands including Ferrero, Hershey's, Arla, NERDS (Ferrara Candy), and Almond Breeze (Blue Diamond).

The company operates 7 manufacturing plants across South Korea (Pyeongtaek, Gwangju, Gyeongsan, Cheongyang, Yeongdong, Asan, Gochang) using ESL, UF, Micro Filtration, and Tetra Pak systems, with all factories ISO 22000 and HACCP certified and additional China GMP, China HACCP, and Indonesia/ KMF Halal certifications for export markets. Proprietary technology centers on Korea's first ESL system, UF-based Easy-to-Digest Milk, dual-temperature pasteurization, and Korea's first 8-type/10-product special infant formula portfolio. R&D is anchored by the Maeil Asia Human Milk Research Center (MAHRC).

Maeil makes money primarily through packaged consumer goods sold via 1,200+ distribution agencies, 300 home delivery agents, convenience stores, supermarkets, and the Maeil Direct e-commerce platform with subscription delivery. Additional revenue streams include exports to 10+ countries ($60M in 2025), B2B supply (notably Starbucks China), licensing of international brands, and a Maeil Do cross-brand loyalty program. Customer segments span general Korean consumers, families with infants, health-conscious adults, medical/patient nutrition buyers, and international markets, with the medical nutrition, plant-based, and infant formula categories representing the highest-growth forward vectors.

Name

Maeil

Legal name

Maeil Dairies Co., Ltd.

Website

https://maeil.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Maeil Dairies (매일유업) is South Korea's longest-established dairy processor, producing and distributing milk, yogurt, soy and oat beverages, infant formula, medical nutrition, and health supplements across 1,200+ agencies, 300 home delivery agents, and 10+ export markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy Products

NAICS

Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Fluid Milk Manufacturing (311511), Dairy Product (except Dried or Canned) Merchant Wholesalers (424430), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024)

akta.pro primary industry

Dairy-Based Beverages Manufacturing (Flavored Milk, Lassi, Drinkable Yogurt) (AFAKAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Yogurt & Cultured Dairy Products Manufacturing (Kefir, Sour Cream, Labneh) (AFAKAKAC), Drinkable Yogurt & Cultured Dairy Beverages (Lassi, Ayran, Probiotic Dairy) (AFAFAEAC), Greek/Strained Yogurt & High-Protein Cultured Dairy Manufacturing (AFAHADAB), Drinkable Yogurt & Kefir Beverages (Probiotic Shots, Smoothie-Style) (AFAHAIAC), Frozen Yogurt Manufacturing (AFAHAEAC), Dairy-Based Beverage Wholesale (Milk Drinks, Yogurt Drinks) (AFAIAGAG)

Keywords

• Dairy product manufacturing
• Infant formula nutrition
• Plant-based beverages
• Fermented dairy products
• Ready-to-drink coffee

Headquarters

HQ city

Gongnong

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Dairy and Fresh Food Products: Core revenue from manufacture and sale of dairy products including fresh milk, fermented dairy, cheese, yogurt, and infant formula. Also includes non-dairy beverages such as soy milk, oat milk, and plant-based drinks.
2. Home Delivery and Subscription: Revenue from home delivery services and regular subscription orders (정기배송) for dairy, soy milk, and daily beverages through the Maeil Direct platform.
3. Export and International Sales: Revenue from exports of infant formula, soy milk, health functional foods, and coffee beverages to over 10 countries including US, Australia, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
4. Health Functional Foods and Medical Nutrition: Revenue from specialized nutrition products including Medifood (메디웰) patient nutrition lines, Selex supplements, and functional beverages targeting health-conscious consumers and medical patients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Maeil manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of dairy and food products including fresh and processed milk, soy milk, plant-based beverages, Greek yogurt and fermented dairy, cheese, infant formula (including special formulas for metabolic disorders), ready-to-drink coffee, juices and medical/clinical nutrition products. Products are distributed through seven Korean factories, 1,200+ wholesale agencies, 300+ home delivery agents, the Maeil Direct e-commerce platform, and export channels reaching more than 10 countries.

Product overview

Maeil is a comprehensive food and dairy company with a diversified portfolio of dairy products, soy milk, plant-based beverages, coffee drinks, infant nutrition, medical foods, and health supplements. The core product lineup centers on daily dairy (매일우유), soy milk (매일두유), and vegetable juices (매일야채), supported by premium sub-brands including 상하목장 (organic dairy), 앱솔루트 (infant formula), 매일바이오 (probiotic yogurt), and 바리스타룰스 (ready coffee). The company also distributes international brands (Hershey's, Ferrero, Arla, Almond Breeze) and operates adjacent businesses through subsidiaries like Maeil Health Nutrition (health supplements), Maeil Do membership platform, and Maeil-i parenting platform. Recent growth focuses on functional and premium products including Greek yogurt, oat milk, protein nutrition (셀렉스), and medical nutritional foods (메디웰). The company operates both B2C e-commerce (매일다이렉트) and B2B channels including home delivery and retail distribution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 상하목장 (Sangha Ranch): Premium organic milk brand featuring products from organic farms
• 앱솔루트 (Absolute)
• 매일바이오 (Maeil Bio)
• 바리스타룰스 (Barista Rules)
• 매일두유 (Maeil Soy Milk)
• 어메이징 오트 (Amazing Oat)
• 셀렉스 (Selex)
• 메디웰 (MediWell)
• 매일아이 (Maeil-i)
• 피크닉 (Picnic)
• 썬업 (Sunup)
• 카페라떼 (Cafe Latte)
• 매일야채 (Maeil Vegetables)
• 상하치즈 (Sangha Cheese)
• 요미요미 (Yomi Yomi)
• 마이카페라떼 (My Cafe Latte)
• 데르뜨 (D'ertte)
• 상하키친 (Sangha Kitchen)
• 밀도 (MilDo)
• 매일다이렉트 (Maeil Direct)

Products and services

• Maeil Milk (매일우유) Core fresh and processed milk products including original, low-fat 1%, flavored, and easy-to-digest UF variants sold to Korean households through retail, e-commerce and home delivery.
• Sangha Ranch (상하목장) Premium organic dairy brand from the Sangha organic farm supply chain, including organic milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, and ice cream for health-oriented consumers.
• Absolute (앱솔루트) Infant Formula Infant formula brand including Korea's first 8 types/10 products of special infant formula (특수분유) for infants with metabolic disorders, goat milk formulas, and organic options.

Quantifiable outcome

• 소화가 잘되는 우유 (Easy-to-Digest Milk) achieved cumulative sales of 80 million units
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• K-food Smart Manufacturing AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Public-private partnership led by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to promote AI-based smart manufacturing transformation and strengthen global competitiveness of K-food. Launched at COEX in Seoul on June 10, 2026. Includes 15 representative K-food corporations: Daesang, CJ CheilJedang, Nongshim Taekyung, Maeil Dairies, and Paldo Co., along with government bodies as cooperating organizations. Maeil plans to leverage this alliance to share manufacturing innovation capabilities and expand cooperation across the food industry to boost exports to the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
• HAII (Digital Healthcare Company)coreTechnology or Integration · 26 January 2026Three-way MOU signed between Maeil Dairy, its subsidiary Maeil Health Nutrition, and digital healthcare company HAII to build a future healthcare model combining nutrition solutions and digital healthcare technology. The agreement incorporates HAII's AI and data analysis technologies into Maeil's scientific nutritional design capabilities, with plans to expand into Digital Therapeutics. The three companies plan to jointly develop data-based healthcare programs and pursue mid- to long-term research and commercialization in stages.
• Supermatcha (supermatcha.official)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-development partnership for a new matcha latte stick product combining Jeju and Boseong shade-grown organic matcha with milk powder. The product was co-developed with MAEIL, which helped reduce sweetness while maintaining authentic matcha flavor. Distributed through Supermatcha's channels.
• Blue Diamond Growers (for Almond Breeze)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaeil partnered with Blue Diamond Growers (world's largest almond company) to develop and launch Almond Breeze in Korea, a new milk-type almond beverage. Maeil also supplies Almond Breeze Barista 1L exclusively to Starbucks China.
• Starbucks ChinacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeijing Maeil signed a B2B supply agreement with Starbucks China to supply Almond Breeze Barista 1L and Amazing Oat Barista 1L exclusively for Starbucks China operations.
• Ferrero (Ferrero Rocher, Kinder brands)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaeil holds exclusive import and distribution rights in Korea for Ferrero products including Ferrero Rocher and Kinder brands, expanding consumer choice for premium chocolate and confectionery products in the Korean market.
• Arla (for Alra brand dairy products)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaeil serves as the exclusive distributor in Korea for Arla brand dairy products, including Alra organic cheese and fresh cheese lines.
• Hershey's (for Hershey's chocolate milk and chocolate products)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaeil holds import and distribution rights for Hershey's products in Korea including Hershey's Chocolate Milk and chocolate drink products.
• FonterraminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Fonterra, the New Zealand dairy cooperative, for sourcing and distribution of dairy ingredients and products in Korea.
• Alibaba Health (Ali Health)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaeil partnered with Alibaba's healthcare subsidiary Ali Health to supply special infant formula for children with congenital metabolic disorders in China and to expand charity programs. The partnership also includes site tours at Maeil's production facilities for Ali Health representatives.
• Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaeil participates in K-food promotion initiatives as one of six major Korean food companies in public-private discussions, supporting the government's export target of $16 billion in 2026. The company works with the ministry on global K-food ambassador programs.
• Jingdong Health ( 징동헬스 )minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSelex brand launched on Jingdong Health, China's largest healthcare online shopping platform, to enable direct purchase by Chinese consumers.
• Ferrara Candy Company (NERDS brand)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaeil signed a domestic distribution agreement for NERDS, the #1 gummy candy brand in the US from Ferrara Candy Company, launching two flavors (Rainbow and Berry Berry) in Asia for the first time.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Seoul Dairy Cooperative (서울우유): South Korea's largest dairy cooperative and Maeil's closest direct domestic competitor. Both compete head-to-head in fresh milk, processed milk, fermented dairy, and yogurt across retail and home delivery channels in Korea.
• Namyang Dairy Products (남양유업): Korean dairy and infant formula manufacturer with overlapping product lines including milk, yogurt, cheese, and infant formula. Direct peer in core dairy categories and infant nutrition, especially relevant given both companies' positioning in the Korean dairy and baby food market.
• Yili Group (伊利集团): China's largest dairy producer and Asia's leading dairy company. Comparable in scale (~¥110B+ RMB revenue), broad product portfolio across liquid milk, yogurt, ice cream, and infant formula, and international expansion ambitions — making it a direct strategic benchmark for Maeil's Asian growth path.
• Mengniu Dairy (蒙牛乳业): China's second-largest dairy company with a similar full-spectrum portfolio (fluid milk, yogurt, ice cream, infant formula, plant-based). Comparable to Maeil as an Asian diversified dairy peer pursuing premium, functional, and international growth strategies.
• Binggrae (빙그레): Korean food and beverage company known for ice cream, flavored milk (Banana Milk), yogurt, and processed dairy products. Direct competitor in the Korean dairy and frozen dessert space, comparable in brand-led consumer marketing and product line breadth.

Broad incumbents

• Nestlé: Global F&B and dairy giant with extensive operations in Korea including infant formula (Gerber/Illuma), coffee beverages, and dairy products. Competes with Maeil across infant nutrition, coffee, and dairy, while also operating as a category-defining incumbent in functional and medical nutrition globally.
• Danone: Global dairy and plant-based leader (Activia, Danone, Aptamil, Silk). Comparable to Maeil in fermented dairy (yogurt), medical nutrition, and growing plant-based beverages — with stronger international reach that frames Maeil's competitive context in both domestic and export markets.
• Fonterra Co-operative Group: New Zealand dairy cooperative and one of the world's largest dairy exporters. Maeil is already a Fonterra distribution partner in Korea, and Fonterra's ingredient supply, B2B foodservice, and consumer brands (Anlene, Anchor) make it a comparable in dairy sourcing, B2B supply, and consumer dairy categories.

Regional players

• Lotte Chilsung Beverage (롯데칠성음료): Korean beverage and dairy subsidiary of Lotte Group, producing milk, coffee, soymilk, and juice products that overlap with Maeil's portfolio. Comparable as a Korean regional beverage peer, particularly in coffee and plant-based beverage categories.
• CJ CheilJedang (CJ제일제당): Korean food conglomerate participating in the same K-food Smart Manufacturing Alliance as Maeil. Comparable in Korean food processing scale, K-food export ambitions, and broader portfolio diversification into functional and plant-based foods.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/freshmaeil
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/maeili2mo
• Facebookfacebook.com/maeili
• Instagraminstagram.com/freshmaeil

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maeil