Fuling Zhacai(SZ:002507) Changjiang Securities·2025-06-16 14:25Investment Rating - The report gives a "Buy" rating for the company [11][13][90]. Core Views - Fuling Pickles is a leader in China's pickled vegetable industry, focusing on the production and sales of pickled mustard tuber, radish, and pickles. The company is transitioning from a pickled vegetable leader to a platform-based condiment enterprise through both organic growth and acquisitions [8][22][44]. Summary by Sections Company Overview - Fuling Pickles is primarily engaged in the production and sales of pickled vegetables, with a significant market share in the pickled mustard tuber segment, reaching approximately 36% in 2019 [10][69]. - The company has a stable shareholding structure, with the local state-owned assets supervision and administration commission holding 35.26% as of Q1 2025 [37][39]. Market Trends - The pickled vegetable market in China is experiencing growth driven by packaging trends and increased consumer demand. The market size for packaged pickled vegetables is expected to reach around 18.2 billion yuan by 2024, with a packaging rate of approximately 22% in 2022 [9][47]. - The report identifies three main growth drivers: stable demand for traditional products, upgrades in C-end products driven by younger consumers, and opportunities for quality companies in the B-end market during the restaurant recovery phase [9][65]. Financial Performance - In 2024, the company achieved a revenue of 2.387 billion yuan, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.75% from 2018 to 2024. The net profit attributable to the parent company was 799 million yuan, with a CAGR of 3.20% during the same period [25][29]. - The company's gross margin, sales margin, and net profit margin for 2024 are projected to be 50.99%, 37.41%, and 33.49%, respectively, indicating a strong profitability position compared to industry peers [29][30]. Strategic Initiatives - The company is actively exploring new channels and product innovations, including the introduction of new products into membership-based supermarkets and the expansion into the restaurant channel [11][68]. - A planned acquisition of Weizimei aims to enhance the company's capabilities in the B-end market, which is expected to create synergies and strengthen the restaurant channel [11][90]. Future Outlook - The report forecasts net profits for the company to be 846 million yuan, 956 million yuan, and 1.013 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively, with corresponding price-to-earnings ratios of 18, 16, and 15 times [11][90].