Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" (maintained) [1] Core Views - The company is experiencing a period of adjustment in Q2 2025, with internal expansion strategies misaligned with external weak market conditions [7] - Revenue for Q2 2025 is under pressure due to weak external demand, particularly in traditional retail channels [7] - The company has adjusted its profit forecasts for 2025-2027, expecting net profits of 2.4 billion, 3.5 billion, and 3.9 billion respectively, reflecting a decrease of 19% in 2025 [7] Financial Performance Summary - Total revenue for 2023 is projected at 2,065 million, with a year-on-year growth of 41.26% [1] - The net profit attributable to the parent company for 2023 is estimated at 209.58 million, with a year-on-year increase of 68.17% [1] - The latest diluted EPS for 2023 is expected to be 0.46 yuan per share [1] - The company’s gross margin for Q2 2025 is reported at 28.9%, a decrease of 1.8 percentage points year-on-year [7] - The net profit margin for Q2 2025 is 8.4%, down 3.5 percentage points year-on-year [7] Revenue Breakdown - For H1 2025, revenue from fish products, bean products, poultry products, and vegetable products is 7.6 billion, 1.1 billion, 2.0 billion, and 0.3 billion respectively, with year-on-year growth rates of +7.6%, +3.6%, -24.0%, and -10.7% [7] - Online channels generated 1.9 billion in revenue for H1 2025, a decline of 6.8% year-on-year, while offline channels achieved 9.4 billion, a slight increase of 0.9% [7] Strategic Outlook - The company is in a phase of internal adjustment and is focusing on the promotion of new products, such as konjac-based items [7] - The mismatch between the company's long-term expansion strategy and the current weak external environment is highlighted as a key concern [7]

Core Insights - Konjac products, particularly "konjac strips" and "vegetarian tripe," are becoming a phenomenon in the snack food sector, significantly driving revenue growth for companies like Salted Fish Pouch (盐津铺子) and Wei Long Delicious (卫龙美味) [1][2] - The explosive growth in downstream demand for konjac is exerting pressure on upstream raw material supply, leading to rising prices and shrinking profit margins for manufacturers [1][6] Company Performance - In 2024, konjac strips contributed to a 59.1% year-on-year revenue increase for Wei Long Delicious, reaching 3.37 billion yuan, accounting for 53.8% of total revenue [2] - Salted Fish Pouch's konjac snacks achieved revenue of 838 million yuan in 2024, a 76.09% increase, making up 15.81% of total revenue [2] - By the first half of 2025, Wei Long Delicious's vegetable products continued to dominate revenue contributions, with a 44.3% increase to 2.11 billion yuan, representing 60.5% of total revenue [2] - Salted Fish Pouch reported a significant 155.1% year-on-year growth in konjac snacks revenue, reaching 791 million yuan, which accounted for 26.9% of total revenue [2] Market Trends - The konjac industry is projected to exceed 30 billion yuan in market size by 2025, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% [5] - The growing popularity of konjac products is attributed to increasing consumer focus on health, as konjac is low in calories and high in fiber [3][5] - The market is becoming increasingly competitive, with over 30 brands, including Three Squirrels and Laoganma, launching similar products [4] Cost Pressures - The rapid increase in demand has led to a supply shortage, causing konjac prices to rise significantly, with raw material prices doubling from 2 yuan per jin to around 4 yuan per jin [6] - The average procurement price for konjac powder has increased by over 30% year-on-year for Salted Fish Pouch, resulting in a decline in gross margin from 32.53% to 29.66% [7] - Wei Long Delicious also experienced a decrease in gross margin from 49.8% to 47.2% due to rising costs [7] Strategic Responses - Companies are focusing on stabilizing supply and reducing costs through upstream integration and efficiency improvements [8] - Salted Fish Pouch has established a konjac powder processing base in Yunnan to enhance its supply chain [7] - Wei Long Delicious is enhancing production efficiency, with its seventh-generation konjac production line achieving an 80% efficiency rate, nearly doubling the capacity of the previous generation [7]

Core Insights - The konjac snack products, known as "konjac strips" and "vegetarian tripe," are becoming a phenomenon in the snack food sector, significantly driving revenue growth for companies like Salted Fish and Wei Long [1][3] - The konjac snack market is expected to maintain high growth rates from 2025 to 2027, with over 30 brands entering the market to capture this segment [1][7] Company Performance - In 2024, konjac strips contributed to Wei Long's vegetable product revenue growth of 59.1%, reaching 3.37 billion yuan, accounting for 53.8% of total revenue [3] - Salted Fish's konjac snack revenue reached 838 million yuan in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 76.09%, making it a key driver of the company's growth [3] - In the first half of 2025, Wei Long's vegetable product revenue grew by 44.3% to 2.109 billion yuan, while Salted Fish's konjac snack revenue surged by 155.1% to 791 million yuan [3][4] Market Trends - The konjac industry is projected to exceed 30 billion yuan by 2025, with an annual compound growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% expected until 2030 [7] - The increasing focus on health-conscious eating is driving consumer demand for low-calorie, high-fiber konjac products, leading to a shift in Wei Long's product strategy away from traditional spicy snacks [5][6] Cost Pressures - The explosive growth in downstream demand for konjac products is putting pressure on upstream raw material supply, leading to rising prices for konjac powder [8][9] - The average purchase price of konjac has doubled from 2 yuan per jin to 4 yuan per jin due to supply constraints and increased export demand [8] - Both Salted Fish and Wei Long reported declines in gross margins due to rising raw material costs, with Salted Fish's gross margin dropping from 32.53% to 29.66% and Wei Long's from 49.8% to 47.2% [9][10] Strategic Initiatives - Salted Fish plans to deepen its core product strategy for its "Big Demon King" konjac tripe and enhance sales through diversified marketing and brand collaborations [4] - Wei Long is focusing on expanding its konjac product line and has increased its production capacity for vegetable products by 59.43% [4][6]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" (maintained) with a target price of 91.84 CNY [1][4]. Core Viewpoints - The company is transitioning from "product export" to "supply chain + brand export," with a significant investment of 220 million CNY in establishing its first overseas factory in Thailand, focusing on konjac and potato chip categories [3]. - The company aims to achieve a 10%-20% share of overseas business within 3-5 years, indicating a strategic shift towards globalization [3]. - The financial performance remains robust, with projected net profits for 2025-2027 at 783 million CNY, 999 million CNY, and 1.215 billion CNY respectively, despite adjustments due to raw material and labor cost fluctuations [4][8]. Financial Summary - The company’s revenue is expected to grow from 4.115 billion CNY in 2023 to 9.190 billion CNY by 2027, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1% [6]. - The net profit margin is projected to stabilize around 12% over the forecast period, with net profit growth rates of 67.8%, 26.5%, and 22.3% for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025 respectively [6][10]. - The company’s earnings per share (EPS) are forecasted to increase from 1.85 CNY in 2023 to 4.45 CNY in 2027 [6][10].

Core Viewpoint - Company is transitioning from "product export" to "supply chain + brand export," aiming to establish a global growth trajectory through local manufacturing and branding strategies [1][2] Group 1: Overseas Expansion Strategy - Company announced an investment of 220 million yuan to establish its first overseas factory in Thailand, focusing on konjac and potato chip products, leveraging local low-cost raw materials and labor advantages [1] - The chairman set a target for overseas business to account for 10%-20% of total revenue within 3-5 years, indicating a significant strategic shift towards international markets [1] Group 2: Market Potential and Product Performance - The konjac market is experiencing rapid growth, with the "Big Devil" konjac product projected to achieve a 76% year-on-year revenue increase in 2024, highlighting its status as a phenomenon in the industry [1] - The Chinese konjac snack market has surpassed 30 billion yuan, with an expected five-year CAGR of 28%, indicating strong growth potential [1] Group 3: Channel and Organizational Evolution - The company is undergoing a channel transformation, with the share of supermarkets decreasing from 54% in 2017 to 3.6% in 2024, while e-commerce and new retail channels now account for over 96% [1] - The company has established a foundation for "standardized replication" across supply chain, branding, and channels, supporting its ability to replicate success in overseas markets [1] Group 4: Financial Performance and Projections - In Q1 2025, the company reported revenue of 1.537 billion yuan, a 25.7% increase, and a net profit of 178 million yuan, an 11.6% increase, with a net profit margin of 11.5% [2] - The gross profit margin was 28.5%, down 3.6 percentage points year-on-year, primarily due to changes in channel and product category structures [2] - Forecasts for net profit attributable to the parent company for 2025-2027 are 783 million yuan, 999 million yuan, and 1.215 billion yuan, reflecting adjustments due to fluctuations in raw material and labor costs [2]

Group 1: Investor Relations Activities - The company conducted a specific investor research activity on June 25, 2025, via Tencent online meeting and in the company conference room [3][4] - Attendees included major financial institutions such as Eastmoney Securities, Sequoia China, and BlackRock [4] Group 2: Market Insights and Predictions - The price of konjac raw materials in 2025 will depend on supply factors, including planting area and weather conditions, which directly affect production and pricing [4][5] - The probability of explosive growth in konjac planting area is low due to specific growing conditions, but an increase in planting area is expected this year due to rising prices [5] Group 3: Market Expansion Opportunities - The konjac industry is targeting growth in health-oriented, functional, and environmentally friendly markets, focusing on low-calorie meal replacements, plant-based innovations, and biodegradable materials [6] - The company plans to leverage technological upgrades and precise marketing to capture high-value market segments [6] Group 4: Production Capacity and Future Products - Current production capacity for konjac balls is 35,000 tons, with plans to increase to 80,000 tons based on market feedback [7] - New product development includes frozen products and jelly powders aimed at the beverage and dairy sectors [7] Group 5: Business Collaboration and Profitability - The company collaborates with clients like Wei Long and Mi Xue Bing Cheng, primarily through ODM production [8] - The company aims to maintain stable gross margins by gradually passing on cost pressures through a cost-plus pricing strategy [10] Group 6: Future Business Strategy - The company plans to increase investment in application research and development to explore new uses for konjac gum [11] - The konjac industry is viewed positively, with expectations of continued growth, and the company remains confident in its market prospects [11]

Core Insights - The Chinese snack industry is undergoing a critical transformation from following market trends to defining them, driven by health demands, new channels, and globalization [1][2][3] Group 1: Health and Innovation - The first step to breaking through is to challenge the stereotype of Chinese snacks being "high in oil and fat" by focusing on health and flavor innovation [1] - The explosive growth of products like "konjac" snacks demonstrates that "healthy ingredients + Chinese seasoning" can create new category value [1] - Companies like Jinzai Foods are customizing spice levels for different regions, indicating a shift from "ingredient thinking" to "solution thinking" [1] Group 2: Channel Transformation - The core of breaking through lies in capturing the migration patterns of consumer scenarios, as seen in Salted Fish's channel transformation [2] - Salted Fish's direct supermarket channel share plummeted from 53.57% to 3.55%, replaced by snack wholesale and e-commerce, showcasing a deep insight into "people, goods, and venues" [2] - The channel transformation is driving upstream upgrades in the supply chain, with companies like Spicy Prince investing 300 million yuan to build GMP-standard production facilities [2] Group 3: Globalization Strategy - The ultimate goal of breaking through is to solve the challenges of cross-cultural taste adaptation and truly open international markets [3] - Leading companies like Salted Fish and Jinzai Foods are establishing overseas production bases to control raw material costs through a model of "initial processing abroad + fine processing domestically" [3] - The challenge lies in balancing "taste localization" with "cultural authenticity," creating a "new global flavor" that combines Chinese ingredients with local tastes [3]

Core Viewpoint - Konjac has emerged as a new favorite in the snack industry, surpassing traditional snacks like spicy strips, with brands like Wei Long leading the charge in this transformation [1][6][7]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Konjac snacks have gained immense popularity, with products like konjac jelly and konjac strips becoming mainstream, even entering the beverage sector [1]. - Wei Long's 2024 annual report indicates that konjac products now account for 53.8% of its revenue, surpassing the 42.6% from its traditional spicy strips [1][7]. - Other brands such as Yan Jin Pu Zi, Jin Zai, and Bai Cao Wei have also entered the konjac market, launching their own products [2][9]. Group 2: Consumer Trends - Young consumers are increasingly drawn to konjac snacks, with significant engagement on platforms like Xiaohongshu, where the hashtag Konjac has nearly 400 million views [5]. - Health consciousness is driving the shift towards konjac, as consumers seek snacks that offer health benefits alongside taste [13]. - The rise of the Z generation as a major consumer group emphasizes a preference for low-calorie, low-fat snacks, making konjac an ideal choice due to its high fiber and low-calorie content [15]. Group 3: Product Development and Innovation - The transformation of konjac from a common ingredient to a popular snack is attributed to advancements in food technology that enhance its texture and flavor [13]. - Brands are innovating with various flavors and forms, such as spicy, sesame, and barbecue, to cater to diverse consumer preferences [13]. - Wei Long's introduction of new konjac products, like "Little Witch," and Yan Jin Pu Zi's "Big Demon King," reflects the competitive landscape in the konjac snack market [9][11]. Group 4: Nutritional Aspects - Konjac is marketed as a low-calorie food, with only 9 calories per 100 grams, making it appealing for weight-conscious consumers [17]. - However, many konjac snacks contain added seasonings and oils, which can significantly increase their caloric content, leading to potential misconceptions about their health benefits [20][22]. - Experts caution against excessive consumption of konjac snacks, highlighting that they should not replace regular meals and may cause digestive issues if overconsumed [23].