Modern Dairy: From Farm to Finance's Most Honored List

HONG KONG – May 14, 2026 – China Modern Dairy (1117.HK) has achieved a landmark victory in the global financial community, securing the coveted title of "Most Honored Company" for the first time in the 2026 Asia (ex-Japan/ANZ) Executive Team rankings by the influential financial magazine Extel. The dairy giant didn't just win; it dominated, sweeping a total of seven prestigious honors that underscore its excellence in management, investor relations, and sustainable practices.

In addition to the top corporate prize, Modern Dairy was recognized for Best Company Board, Best IR Program, and Best ESG. The company's leadership was also individually celebrated, with Mr. Sun Yugang named Best CEO, Mr. Zhu Xiaohui awarded Best CFO, and Ms. Lo Pik Fai, Ruby, honored as the Best IR Professional. This clean sweep in the Consumer Staples sector places the company in an elite circle, validated by thousands of the world's top investment professionals.

The Anatomy of an 'Honored Company'

The Extel awards, with a history spanning over 50 years and formerly known as Institutional Investor Research, are widely regarded as the gold standard for evaluating corporate performance from the perspective of the capital markets. The rankings are not decided by a small panel of judges but by a comprehensive and independent survey of the investment community itself. This year's survey canvassed 5,581 portfolio managers, buy-side investors, and sell-side analysts from 1,249 firms, who collectively nominated over 2,500 companies.

To earn the "Most Honored Company" designation is a feat of consistency and broad-based excellence. According to Extel's rigorous methodology, a company must accumulate a weighted score of at least 15 points across six key categories, with points awarded for top-three placements in rankings voted on by both buy-side and sell-side professionals. Modern Dairy’s success in meeting this high bar for the first time is a powerful testament to its strategic focus on building trust and transparency with the market.

The company’s Investor Relations team has been a key driver of this success. By establishing a multi-channel communication strategy that includes proactive engagement through earnings calls, reverse roadshows, and investor forums, the team has fostered a robust dialogue with stakeholders. This commitment to transparency has not only addressed investor concerns promptly but has also created a valuable feedback loop, influencing operational improvements in cost reduction and digital transformation. The confidence this has inspired is reflected in the positive ratings coverage from nearly 20 brokerage firms, signaling strong market belief in the company’s long-term value proposition.

Green Gold: Setting the Standard with 'FRESH' ESG

While strong financial communication is critical, Modern Dairy’s recognition for "Best ESG" highlights a deeper commitment to sustainable value creation. The company has successfully integrated its ambitious 'FRESH' sustainable development strategy into the core of its operations, setting a new benchmark for green and low-carbon animal husbandry in Asia.

The 'FRESH' strategy is a comprehensive framework built on five pillars: Future, Responsibility, Environment, Society, and Health. It moves beyond mere compliance, embedding sustainability into the company's long-term vision. Under the 'Environment' pillar, Modern Dairy has pioneered a circular industrial chain model: forage planting is followed by cow breeding, manure is treated to create organic fertilizer and generate biogas for power, and the fertilizer is then used to enrich the soil for the next crop of forage. This closed-loop system minimizes waste and significantly reduces the farm's ecological footprint.

The results of this strategy are evident in the company's stellar ESG ratings. As of March 2026, its MSCI ESG rating stood at 'A', the highest in China's animal husbandry industry. This followed a jump in its S&P Global CSA score to 71 in late 2025, placing it in the top 7% of the global industry, and an upgrade of its Wind ESG rating to 'AA'. These are not just letters on a report; they represent tangible progress in areas like climate change management, water security, and corporate behavior, validated by the world's leading sustainability assessors.

Leadership at the Helm

Corporate awards are ultimately a reflection of the people leading the organization. The individual recognition for Modern Dairy’s executive team underscores the depth of talent driving its strategy. CEO Sun Yugang, who was named Best CEO, has a long and storied history with the company, having previously served as its CFO before taking the top job in 2022. His deep experience in corporate finance and the dairy industry, honed at both Modern Dairy and its strategic partner Mengniu Dairy, has provided a steady hand in navigating the complexities of the market.

The awards for Best CFO Mr. Zhu Xiaohui and Best IR Professional Ms. Lo Pik Fai, Ruby, further highlight the company's prowess in financial management and stakeholder engagement. The combined strength of this leadership team has been instrumental in translating operational excellence into a compelling and credible narrative for the investment community.

In its official response, the company expressed its gratitude for the recognition, stating it is "not only an affirmation of our past efforts but also a spur for our journey ahead." Looking forward, Modern Dairy affirmed it will continue to pursue its vision "to be a global leader in the dairy farming industry," emphasizing its commitment to optimizing governance, deepening ESG practices, and strengthening investor communications. This collection of prestigious awards suggests the company is well on its way to achieving that goal, creating a model for how emerging market firms can achieve global recognition through a steadfast commitment to excellence and transparency.