Sou Hu Cai Jing·2026-01-09 01:01Core Viewpoint - The white liquor industry is experiencing its most severe adjustment since 2015, driven by increased regulatory pressures, generational shifts in consumption, and high channel inventory, leading to a transition from "scale expansion" to "value cultivation" [4][5][22] Industry Overview - In 2025, the white liquor industry faced a dual contraction in external environment and internal ecology, with the liquor industry being recognized as a "historical classic industry" [5][6] - The implementation of new standards for sauce-flavored liquor and stricter food labeling regulations aims to enhance transparency and curb false advertising [5][6] - The revised regulations on government spending have led to a significant decline in high-end liquor consumption, with a reported drop of about two-thirds in high-end liquor opening rates from May to August [5][6] Market Performance - In the first half of 2025, the number of large-scale liquor enterprises decreased by over 100, with production down by 5.8% and profits down by 10.93% [6] - By November 2025, production had decreased by 11.3% year-on-year, with a record low monthly decline of 13.8% [6] - The total revenue of 20 A-share liquor companies fell by 5.90% to 317.79 billion yuan, with net profits down by 6.93% [6] Stock Market Trends - The white liquor sector saw a significant decline in market value, with the index dropping to 2694.38 points by the end of 2025, reflecting a total market capitalization of 2.88 trillion yuan [6] - Only one company, Jinhui Liquor, saw a slight increase in stock price, while 11 companies experienced declines exceeding 20% [7] Price Dynamics - The price of major liquor products has been declining, with average retail prices dropping by over 30% by the end of 2025 [12] - The price of certain well-known liquor brands fell back to levels not seen since 2017, indicating a collapse of the previous price rigidity [8][12] Inventory Challenges - The average inventory turnover days for the industry reached 900 days in the first half of 2025, increasing to 1424 days by the end of the third quarter [13] - The total inventory of 20 listed liquor companies exceeded 170 billion yuan by the end of the third quarter, marking an 11% year-on-year increase [13] Strategic Responses - Liquor companies have begun to implement measures such as price stabilization and inventory control, with major brands like Moutai and Wuliangye taking steps to manage supply and innovate product offerings [9][19] - The industry is witnessing a shift towards mid-range and low-end products, as well as a focus on cash flow management among distributors [16][19] Future Outlook - Analysts predict that the white liquor sector may have entered a bottoming phase, with potential for performance recovery in 2026 as inventory issues are addressed and macroeconomic conditions improve [19][20] - The strategic focus for leading companies in 2026 will be on core business consolidation and adapting to changing consumer demands [20][21]