From baijiu to imported wine, once bulletproof brands are losing their shine. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics show alcohol prices have been falling for months, weighed down by weak consumer demand and distress sales. Read More
Baijiu
When Australia’s most famous wine label meets one of China’s biggest baijiu distillers, the result is not just a limited-edition bottle but a glimpse into the uneasy realities of doing business amid declining sales. Read More
Amid the slump, wine sales provided a rare bright spot. VATS liquor store said wine revenue rose 10.96% to RMB 246.7 million (US$34.5 million) in the first half. Read More
China’s most valuable liquor maker, Kweichow Moutai, has posted its slowest half-year profit growth since 2015, as rising marketing expenses and mounting receivables signal intensifying pressure on the country’s high-end alcohol market. Read More
Global spirits giant Diageo is facing renewed scrutiny in China as widespread reports of layoffs at its baijiu subsidiary Shui Jing Fang (水井坊) continue to circulate across Chinese social media, despite efforts to suppress them. Read More
But unlike the 2012 “Eight-Point Regulation” that once gutted the sector, industry veterans say this round of restrictions is unlikely to leave lasting scars. Read More
For the first time in years, Kweichow Moutai, is slashing its production due to softening market demand. Read More
In the first two weeks of 2025, two former chairmen of Wuliangye and Moutai, two giants in the Baijiu industry, have come under investigation, signaling intensified scrutiny of China’s most profitable spirits companies. Read More
The conglomerate is also an investor in Googut Spirits, a Chinese drinks company known for its vintage Baijiu and the owner of YesMyWine.com, which was once dubbed the “number one global wine e-commerce platform” by Bordeaux École de Management. Read More
Hong Kong lawmakers are advocating for the removal of the 100% spirits tax to transform the city into a regional hub for spirits consumption and trading, mirroring the success achieved with wine. Read More