Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the company, indicating a positive outlook compared to the market [1][5]. Core Insights - The company reported better-than-expected performance in its third-quarter results, with a revenue decline of 4.29% in Q3, which is an improvement compared to a 30% decline in Q2 [5]. - The company is focusing on health-oriented products and plans to enhance its brand positioning through clean ingredient labels and organic offerings, which are expected to drive long-term growth [5]. - The report highlights that the company has reached an operational bottom this year, and the recovery in revenue is a positive sign for future performance [5]. Financial Data and Earnings Forecast - Total revenue for 2025 is projected at 28.06 billion, with a year-on-year decline of 8.7% [4]. - The net profit attributable to the parent company for 2025 is estimated at 4.06 billion, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 20.9% [4]. - The gross margin for Q3 was reported at 39%, an increase of 1.5 percentage points year-on-year, primarily due to cost reductions [5]. - The company’s revenue from soy sauce and vinegar for the first three quarters was 12.6 billion and 2.4 billion, respectively, with declines of 12.3% and 17.2% year-on-year [5].

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the company [1] Core Insights - The company reported better-than-expected performance in Q3, with a revenue decline of 4.29% compared to a 30% decline in Q2, indicating a potential operational turnaround [6] - The company is focusing on health-oriented products and plans to enhance its market presence with clean ingredient labels and organic offerings [6] - The report suggests that the current year represents the operational bottom for the company, with a recommendation to actively monitor future revenue performance [6] Financial Data and Earnings Forecast - Total revenue for 2025 is estimated at 2,806 million, with a year-on-year decline of 8.7% [5] - The net profit attributable to the parent company for 2025 is projected to be 406 million, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 20.9% [5] - The company’s gross margin for Q3 was 39%, an increase of 1.5 percentage points year-on-year, primarily due to cost reductions [6] - The report forecasts a recovery in revenue growth for 2026 and 2027, with net profits expected to rise to 508 million and 610 million, respectively [6][5]

Core Insights - The first clean label certification in China's seasoning industry was awarded to Qianhe Flavor Industry for its products, marking a significant milestone in the sector [1] - A clean label and reduced use of food additives are central to a transformative wave in the food industry, driven by new food safety standards and a dual reduction initiative [3] - Qianhe Flavor Industry's 0-series soy sauce features a transparent ingredient list, addressing consumer concerns about complex ingredients [3] - The clean label certification, based on EU standards, requires a comprehensive risk control system from raw material selection to packaging, with the 0-level being the highest grade [3] - The clean label soy sauce is expected to become the preferred choice for Chinese households, with leading brands capturing 50% of the market share [4] Industry Developments - The food industry in China is undergoing a transformation focused on clean labels and reduced food additives, with Qianhe Flavor Industry leading the way [3] - The clean label certification reflects a growing consumer demand for food safety and quality, indicating a market shift towards cleaner ingredient profiles [3] - Research indicates that the share of quality soy sauce in the retail market is projected to rise to 63.9% over the next three years [4]

Core Viewpoint - Q3 2023 financial results of Qianhe Flavor Industry show a recovery in revenue and profit, alongside the company's proactive response to new food labeling regulations, emphasizing transparency and consumer health [1][2][6] Financial Performance - Qianhe Flavor Industry reported a revenue of 1.987 billion yuan and a net profit of 260 million yuan for the first three quarters of 2023 [1] - In Q3 alone, the company achieved a revenue of 669 million yuan and a net profit of 86 million yuan [1] - Revenue from soy sauce, vinegar, and other businesses in Q3 was 419 million yuan, 79 million yuan, and 133 million yuan respectively, with a significant reduction in the decline compared to Q2 [1] Market Response and Strategy - The company has removed "0 additives" labeling from its packaging in response to new regulations, placing ingredient lists on the front for better consumer visibility [1][2] - Qianhe's chairman emphasized the importance of product quality and compliance with new labeling standards to avoid consumer misunderstandings [2][6] - The company supports the new GB 7718 regulations, which aim to clarify food labeling and promote consumer awareness of ingredients [2][4] Industry Trends - The clean label concept, which originated in Europe, emphasizes transparency and the rejection of artificial additives, pushing companies towards innovation in natural ingredients and processing methods [4][6] - The new GB/T 18186-2025 standard for soy sauce has raised quality requirements and eliminated substandard products, marking a shift towards pure grain brewing [6][7] - Retailers like Walmart are adjusting their product offerings to focus on high-quality, clean-label soy sauces, indicating a market shift towards cleaner ingredients [7][9] Collaboration and Partnerships - Qianhe Flavor Industry is collaborating with major retailers like Walmart to develop unique product quality standards, enhancing its market position [9] - The company aims to leverage partnerships to promote clean-label products, aligning with consumer demands for food safety and quality [9]

Group 1 - The first clean label certification in China's seasoning industry was awarded to Qianhe Flavor Industry for its products, marking a significant milestone in the sector [1] - The clean label certification, which is the highest level (0 level), requires a comprehensive risk control system from raw material selection to production and packaging, based on EU standards [3] - Qianhe's 0 series soy sauce features a transparent ingredient list on the front of the packaging, addressing consumer concerns about complex ingredients [3] Group 2 - By 2025, a wave of industry reform focusing on "clean labels" and reduced use of food additives is expected in China's food sector, driven by new food safety standards and a dual reduction initiative [3] - Ipsos research indicates that clean label soy sauce will become the preferred choice for Chinese households, with leading brands capturing 50% of the market share [4] - The market share of quality soy sauce in the retail sector is projected to rise to 63.9% over the next three years [4]

Core Viewpoint - Q3 performance of Qianhe Flavor Industry shows a decline in revenue and net profit, but the rate of decline has improved compared to the first half of the year [2] Financial Performance - In Q3, Qianhe Flavor Industry reported revenue of approximately 669 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 4.3% - Net profit attributable to shareholders was about 86.34 million yuan, down 14.6% year-on-year - Compared to H1, where revenue decreased by 17.07% and net profit by 30.81%, the decline in Q3 shows signs of stabilization [2] Product and Packaging Changes - As of the end of September, the "Qianhe 0" series soy sauce products have undergone packaging optimization and upgrades, with new packaging to be used for future production [3] - The new packaging will prominently display the ingredient list on the front, addressing previous consumer concerns about misleading labeling [6] Market Position and Competition - The chairman of Qianhe Flavor Industry emphasized the trend towards clean and natural ingredients in products, amidst fierce competition in the zero-additive condiment segment [4] - Qianhe's product categories include soy sauce, vinegar, cooking wine, and oyster sauce, with soy sauce being the largest category, accounting for 64% of total revenue [4] Channel Strategy - Qianhe has partnered with major retailers like Walmart and Yonghui to launch customized products, enhancing product quality standards [5] - Walmart has removed products with amino acid nitrogen content below 1.0g/100mL from its shelves, reinforcing quality control in collaboration with Qianhe [5] Industry Comparison - In Q3, competitor Haitian Flavor Industry reported revenue of approximately 6.398 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.48%, and net profit of about 1.408 billion yuan, up 3.4% - Another competitor, Zhongju High-tech, saw a revenue decline of 22.84% and a net profit drop of 45.66% in the same period [7]

Core Viewpoint - Qianhe Flavor Industry is undergoing a brand renewal and product upgrade following a "zero additive" controversy, with a focus on clean label products and compliance with new industry standards [2][3][5]. Group 1: Company Performance - In the first three quarters, Qianhe Flavor Industry reported a revenue of 1.987 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 13.17%, and a net profit of 260 million yuan, down 26.13% [2]. - The chairman acknowledged that the brand's reputation was damaged due to the controversy, estimating a recovery period of 10 to 12 months [2]. - The company began its brand renewal in September, aligning with national regulations and market trends towards clean label products [2][4]. Group 2: Industry Trends - The Chinese soy sauce market is projected to reach 104.1 billion yuan by 2024, shifting from basic demand to quality demand [5]. - The clean label soy sauce market is expected to capture 63.9% of the market share in the next three years, indicating a significant shift in consumer preferences [5][6]. - The introduction of new national standards for soy sauce aims to enhance product quality and safety, phasing out inferior products and promoting pure grain brewing [3][4]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment - New regulations prohibit misleading terms like "zero additives" and provide a two-year transition period for compliance [3]. - The "Soy Sauce Quality Standard" will be implemented by December 2026, emphasizing quality over mere compliance with production metrics [3][4]. - The clean label certification, aligned with EU standards, requires comprehensive risk management throughout the production process, with Qianhe achieving the highest level of certification [6]. Group 4: Future Strategy - Qianhe Flavor Industry plans to focus on four main product categories: soy sauce, vinegar, cooking wine, and oyster sauce, particularly in the clean label segment [6]. - The company is prioritizing international expansion, targeting markets in the US and Europe, while initially focusing on sales rather than production capacity abroad [6].

Core Viewpoint - Qianhe Flavor Industry is upgrading its Qianhe 0 series soy sauce packaging to feature an ingredient list on the front, moving away from the previous "zero additives" label, starting from September 2025 [1] Group 1: Product Changes - The new packaging will display 4 to 5 ingredients used in the production of the soy sauce, including water, non-GMO soybeans, wheat, and edible salt for the 380-day premium light soy sauce [1] - The 180-day premium light soy sauce will include additional ingredients such as white sugar [1] Group 2: Market Availability - As of October 31, the new packaging for the Qianhe 0 series soy sauce is already available for sale on the Qianhe flagship store on Taobao, alongside the old packaging [1] - Qianhe Flavor Industry staff indicated that the new packaging is being gradually rolled out, with offline supermarkets also having switched to the new design [1]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Accumulate" [1] Core Views - The company has shown marginal improvement in Q3 performance, with efforts to restore market confidence leading to better operational conditions [5][7] - Revenue for the first three quarters of 2025 was 1.987 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 13.17%, while net profit attributable to shareholders was 260 million yuan, down 26.13% year-on-year [4] - The company is expected to continue its recovery in Q4, with a focus on channel health and product matrix improvement [7] Summary by Sections Revenue Performance - In Q3 2025, the company achieved revenue of 669 million yuan, a year-on-year decline of 4.29%, with net profit of 86 million yuan, down 14.55% year-on-year [4] - The core product categories, soy sauce and vinegar, saw revenue declines of 12.3% and 17.2% respectively in the first three quarters, but the decline narrowed in Q3 to 3.6% and 6.9% [5] Regional Performance - Revenue changes by region in Q3 2025 showed a decline in the East and North regions, while the South and Central regions experienced positive growth [5] Channel Performance - Online revenue decreased by 44.2% in Q3 2025, while offline revenue increased by 3.7%, indicating a recovery in offline channels [6] Cost and Profitability - The gross margin for the first three quarters was 37.4%, an increase of 1.2 percentage points year-on-year, while the net profit margin was 13.1%, down 2.3 percentage points [6] - The company has increased its sales and management expenses due to higher advertising and channel investment [6] Profit Forecast and Valuation - The forecast for net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025 is 408 million yuan, with a corresponding PE ratio of 29x [7][9]

Core Insights - The event "2025 Qianhe Flavor Industry Product Renewal and Clean Label Product Level 0 Certification Launch" was held in Meishan, Sichuan, where Qianhe's 0 series soy sauce received the first Clean Label Product Level 0 certification in China's condiment industry, using only 4 to 5 clean ingredients [1] - The Chinese soy sauce market is projected to reach 104.1 billion yuan in 2024, with a shift from basic to quality demand, and clean ingredient soy sauce expected to dominate household purchases, capturing 63.9% of the premium soy sauce market by 2026 [2] - The new national standard for soy sauce, effective December 1, 2026, emphasizes quality over additives, reflecting a market demand for healthier and safer food options [2] Company Insights - Qianhe Flavor Industry has pioneered the implementation of the new national standards for pre-packaged food and the "dual reduction" initiative for additives, enhancing transparency in ingredient labeling [1] - The company has achieved large-scale production of clean ingredient soy sauce, which does not rely on external additives for flavor enhancement, positioning itself as a healthier alternative [2] - Qianhe's Clean Label Product Level 0 certification indicates a commitment to high standards in food safety and quality, aligning with international benchmarks [3] Industry Insights - The clean label certification standard, derived from the EU, requires a comprehensive risk management system from raw material selection to packaging, with Level 0 being the highest certification [3] - The shift towards clean ingredient soy sauce reflects a broader trend in the condiment industry towards quality competition and consumer safety demands, driven by policy guidance and changing consumer awareness [3]