Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-11-04 16:40Core Insights - The Chinese liquor industry is experiencing a significant downturn, with a collective revenue of 317.78 billion yuan for 20 listed liquor companies in the first three quarters of 2025, representing a year-on-year decline of 5.90% [2][4] - Shanxi Fenjiu has surpassed Wuliangye to become the second-largest player in the industry, with a revenue of 8.96 billion yuan in Q3 2025, compared to Wuliangye's 8.17 billion yuan [2][7] - The industry is undergoing structural changes, with a general slowdown in revenue growth and profitability across most companies [4][5] Industry Performance - The overall revenue growth rate for the liquor industry has dropped to a five-year low, with only eight companies achieving double-digit profit growth, while many others reported single-digit or negative growth [4] - Moutai remains the leader with a revenue of 128.45 billion yuan in Q3, but its growth rate has slowed to 6.36% [4] - Wuliangye reported a revenue of 60.95 billion yuan with a decline of 10.26%, while Fenjiu's revenue growth of 5% is notable [4][5] Challenges Faced - The industry is facing several challenges, including rising raw material costs, increased promotional expenses, and deteriorating cash flow due to higher inventory levels among distributors [5] - The cumulative production of liquor from January to September 2025 was 2.655 million kiloliters, a year-on-year decrease of 9.9%, indicating weak market demand [5] - Wuliangye's performance has been particularly affected by an imbalanced product structure and intensified competition in the mid-range market [8][9] Competitive Landscape - The competition is shifting from scale expansion to quality differentiation, with Fenjiu's rise posing a potential threat to Wuliangye's long-standing position [10][11] - Fenjiu's growth is attributed to the revival of clear aroma liquor, appealing to younger consumers [11][12] - Wuliangye's traditional distribution model is under pressure, leading to increased inventory and financial strain on distributors [8][9] Future Outlook - The liquor industry is expected to undergo a cleansing process, with a potential recovery starting in 2026 as macroeconomic conditions improve [13][14] - The "Matthew Effect" will continue to intensify, favoring leading companies with strong brand power and national distribution [14][15] - Companies that can blend traditional brewing wisdom with modern consumer insights are likely to emerge as winners post-adjustment [15]