Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommended" investment rating for the food and beverage industry [9]. Core Insights - The food and beverage industry shows resilience with a notable performance in the liquor sector, particularly for leading brands like Kweichow Moutai and Wuliangye, which are expected to achieve stable growth [6][9]. - The new consumption sector is experiencing high demand, with individual company performances expected to steadily improve, driven by strong fundamentals [7][9]. - The report highlights the ongoing recovery in the mass consumer goods sector, with a focus on companies like Ximai Food and Youyou Food, which are expected to benefit from market dynamics [9]. Industry Performance - The food and beverage sector has shown a 1-month performance of 6.6%, a 3-month performance of 0.6%, and a 12-month performance of 13.1% [3]. - The liquor industry reported sales revenue of 330.42 billion yuan for the first half of the year [20]. - The report notes a 5.3% year-on-year increase in liquor industry revenue, totaling 796.4 billion yuan for 2024 [34]. Company Feedback - Kweichow Moutai is launching a high-end product, Moutai 1935, and continues to expand its cultural experience venues [20]. - Ximai Food reported a gross margin increase of 3 percentage points to 43.5% due to product structure optimization and lower raw material costs [58]. - Shede Liquor's net profit margin improved by 5 percentage points to 8.56% in Q2 2025, reflecting effective cost control measures [61]. Key Data Trends - The liquor industry's cumulative production for 2024 was 4.145 million tons, a decrease of 7.72% year-on-year [34]. - The seasoning industry is projected to grow from 259.5 billion yuan in 2014 to 687.1 billion yuan by 2024, with a CAGR of 10.23% [36]. - The snack food market is expected to grow from 0.82 trillion yuan in 2016 to 1.2 trillion yuan in 2022, with a CAGR of 6% [52].

Core Viewpoint - A "degree reduction competition" is emerging in the Chinese liquor industry, with major brands launching lower-alcohol products to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market dynamics [3][4]. Group 1: Industry Trends - Major liquor companies like Wuliangye and Shede are introducing lower-alcohol products, reflecting a shift in consumer demand and a response to market changes [3][4]. - In the past month, four companies have announced new low-alcohol products, with alcohol content decreasing progressively, indicating a trend towards lower alcohol offerings [3][4]. - The introduction of lower-alcohol products is accompanied by modern packaging and online sales strategies, targeting younger consumers through celebrity endorsements [3][4]. Group 2: Consumer Behavior - The rise of younger consumers, particularly those born between 1985 and 1994, is influencing the liquor market, as they prefer drinks that are more palatable and healthier [5][6]. - Traditional high-alcohol liquor is losing appeal among younger consumers, who are increasingly drawn to beer, fruit wine, and cocktails, with white liquor only accounting for 31.8% of their consumption [5][6]. - The shift in consumer preferences is prompting liquor companies to innovate and adapt their offerings to meet the diverse needs of modern consumers [5][7]. Group 3: Market Potential - The domestic low-alcohol liquor market is projected to reach 74 billion yuan by 2025, indicating significant growth potential for this segment [6]. - Lower-alcohol products are expected to complement existing sales channels and cater to social drinking occasions, potentially opening new revenue streams for companies [6][7]. - While lowering alcohol content is a key strategy, companies must also consider how to meet the evolving demands of younger consumers in various social contexts [7].