COFCO JOYCOME announced that its indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary, Wuhan COFCO, and its parent company, COFCO Group, acting as joint clients, entered into a technology development contract with Huazhong Agricultural University as the service provider on April 14, 2026. The contract stipulates that the university will conduct research and development related to pig breeding technologies for Wuhan COFCO and COFCO Group. Under the agreement, certain R&D results generated from the project will have intellectual property rights shared among the three parties: Wuhan COFCO will hold 25%, COFCO Group 25%, and Huazhong Agricultural University 50%. Other results will be jointly owned by Wuhan COFCO and COFCO Group, with each holding a 50% share. Wuhan COFCO and COFCO Group are granted permanent, free, and non-exclusive rights to use all R&D outcomes from the contract, as well as any subsequent independent improvements by any party, and may authorize group companies and COFCO subsidiaries to use them. The level of pig breeding technology and production efficiency are crucial foundations for COFCO JOYCOME to enhance its core competitiveness, ensure the stable operation of the pig industry chain, and achieve sustainable development. As the pig farming industry moves toward larger scale, intensification, and digitalization, the company urgently needs systematic technological R&D to support its long-term business development. Huazhong Agricultural University possesses strong research capabilities and comprehensive scientific platforms in areas such as animal genetics and breeding. The board believes that entering into this technology development contract will help introduce the university's specialized research expertise, promoting the integration and application of relevant scientific achievements within COFCO JOYCOME's actual production environments. The technologies and outcomes to be developed under this contract are expected to help the company optimize production efficiency, reduce farming risks, and improve product quality. Furthermore, the contract clearly defines arrangements for the delivery of R&D results, acceptance mechanisms, and intellectual property ownership, securing the company's long-term usage rights and industrial application potential for the related technological achievements.