2025年10月20日，日本養樂多本社株式会社正式宣布，旗下中國業務的廣州養樂多將啟動業務重組程序，其中包括關閉廣州第一工廠的計劃。根據公司安排，該工廠將於11月30日正式停產，未來其生產功能將逐步轉移至廣州第二工廠及佛山工廠，以優化整體生產系統並更有效地利用管理資源。廣州益力多於10月21日對媒體表示，這一生產體制的調整，是基於公司整體戰略規劃，以及為了提升在中國市場的競爭力和推動可持續發展而進行的必要安排。

廣州第一工廠自2002年6月投產以來，已有二十餘年歷史，隨著設備逐漸老化，維護與生產成本日益增加，公司決定關閉該廠，以實現資源集中與效率提升。現有三廠體制將改為兩廠體制，目標是將經營資源集中，用於擴大銷售及提升整體產能。值得注意的是，這並非養樂多首次在中國進行生產重組。早在2024年12月，公司就已宣布關閉上海工廠，將其生產業務全面轉移至天津及無錫等工廠，原因同樣是通過重組提高生產效率與資源配置，進而提升銷量和業績。

根據養樂多（中國）集團官網資料，目前公司在中國擁有廣州、天津、無錫、佛山等六處生產基地以及53家分公司，並在廣東、上海、北京、天津、廈門、福州、衡陽、南昌、昆明等地提供家庭配送服務。廣州第一工廠關閉後，中國的生產基地將減少至五家。

養樂多在中國的高速發展，得益於早期低溫益生菌飲料市場的空白。在蒙牛的低溫乳酸菌飲料「優益C」和伊利的「每益添」尚未占據市場之前，養樂多採用單品策略，依靠「小紅瓶」這一代表腸道健康概念的產品迅速建立市場認知，實現跨越式增長。多年來，這種策略使養樂多在中國低溫益生菌飲料市場奠定了穩固的領導地位，也為其後續生產重組和資源整合提供了穩定基礎。

此次廣州第一工廠關閉，雖對當地部分就業和生產環節帶來影響，但從整體戰略來看，養樂多通過生產基地的優化整合，旨在提高資源利用效率、提升產能與市場競爭力，並為中國市場的可持續增長奠定更穩健的基礎。

On October 20, 2025, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. in Japan officially announced that its Chinese subsidiary, Guangzhou Yakult, will undergo a business restructuring, which includes the planned closure of its Guangzhou First Factory. According to the company, the factory will officially cease production on November 30, with its production operations gradually transferred to Guangzhou Second Factory and the Foshan Factory. The move aims to optimize the overall production system and make more effective use of management resources. On October 21, Guangzhou Yakult stated to media outlets that this adjustment in the production structure is part of the company’s overall strategic plan and is intended to enhance competitiveness in the Chinese market while promoting sustainable development.

The Guangzhou First Factory, which began operations in June 2002, has been in service for more than two decades. As equipment aged and maintenance costs increased, the company decided to close the facility to concentrate resources and improve efficiency. The current three-factory system will be streamlined into a two-factory system, allowing the company to better focus operational resources on expanding sales and production capacity. This is not the first time Yakult has restructured production in China. In December 2024, the company closed its Shanghai Factory, transferring all production to other domestic bases such as Tianjin and Wuxi, citing the same objectives of improving production efficiency, optimizing resource allocation, and boosting sales and overall performance.

According to Yakult (China) Group’s official information, the company currently operates six production bases in China, located in Guangzhou, Tianjin, Wuxi, Foshan, and other regions, along with 53 branch offices. It also provides home delivery services in Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Hengyang, Nanchang, and Kunming. After the closure of Guangzhou First Factory, the number of production bases in China will be reduced to five.

Yakult’s rapid growth in China was largely due to the early gap in the low-temperature probiotic beverage market. Before products like Mengniu’s Youyi C and Yili’s Meiyitian established a presence, Yakult employed a single-product strategy, using the iconic small red bottle—representing intestinal health—to quickly build brand recognition and achieve rapid market growth. This strategy helped Yakult secure a strong leadership position in China’s probiotic beverage sector and provided a stable foundation for subsequent production restructuring and resource consolidation.

While the closure of Guangzhou First Factory may affect local employment and certain production processes, from a strategic perspective, Yakult aims to improve resource utilization, increase production efficiency, and strengthen market competitiveness. The restructuring is designed to ensure sustainable growth and a more resilient position in the Chinese market over the long term.