Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-05-12 10:07Core Insights - The beer industry is experiencing a slowdown in growth for 2024, with major companies reporting their first negative revenue growth in three years due to various factors including weather and market conditions [1][2]. Industry Performance - Major beer companies such as Budweiser APAC, China Resources Beer, Tsingtao Brewery, and Chongqing Brewery have reported revenue declines ranging from 1% to 13% in 2024, with Budweiser APAC experiencing the largest drop at 13% [2]. - The total beer production in China for 2024 was 35.213 million kiloliters, a decrease of 0.6% year-on-year, making beer the only declining category in the food and beverage sector [2]. - In the first two months of 2025, the cumulative production of major beer companies in China fell by 4.9% [3]. Shifts in Growth Strategy - The beer industry is transitioning from a focus on high-end products to a more diversified approach, including scenario-based layouts and multi-category operations to seek new growth [4][5]. - Companies are adapting to changing consumer preferences, with a shift from high-priced products to better value-for-money options, particularly in the mid-range price segment [5]. Diversification Efforts - Qingdao Beer announced a 665 million yuan acquisition of 100% equity in Jimo Huangjiu, marking its entry into the yellow wine market to diversify its product offerings [7]. - Other companies like Yanjing Beer and Chongqing Beer are also expanding into non-beer beverages, with Yanjing launching a new soda product and Chongqing introducing various soft drinks [7][8]. - The beverage industry is showing stable growth, with a 7.9% increase in all-channel growth for 2024, indicating potential opportunities for beer companies to expand into this sector [7][8].