The a2 Milk Company said it expects to return to sales growth this year, but will ramp up marketing spend significantly to resonate better with Chinese mothers as it battles for its share of the world’s largest baby formula market.

The baby formula and fresh milk boss David Bortolussi said the increased revenue expected in the second half will not flow though to profitability, due to the marketing blitz in its a2 Platinum formula as more Chinese rivals launch similar products.