Yunjiu Morning Brief: Zhijiang and Niqiao Breweries report H1 revenue growth; 'Aogong Jiu' unauthorized by writer Jia Pingwa

Recently, several non-listed liquor enterprises disclosed their operating performance for the first half of 2026. Among them, Zhijiang Brewery’s sales revenue increased by 6.9% year-on-year; Niqiao Brewery’s sales revenue also rose year-on-year, while its taxes and profits surged by 53.3%. Both enterprises achieved growth in certain operational indicators amid the industry’s ongoing adjustment period. (Zhijiang Brewery, Niqiao Brewery) ▎ 'Aogong Jiu' Unauthorized by Jia Pingwa On August 16, Shandong Yanghu Brewery Co., Ltd. and Xi’an Qujiang Aoa Culture Communication Co., Ltd. jointly issued a statement clarifying that the 'Aogong Jiu' project has not received any commercial authorization from writer Jia Pingwa. Jia Pingwa has never participated in this project through authorization, calligraphic inscription, endorsement, equity investment, or collaboration. All online claims to the contrary are factually inaccurate. The brand name, logo design, cultural positioning, and product concepts of 'Aogong Jiu' were independently developed and operated solely by the two companies. In response to the fabrication, dissemination, and amplification of false information, both companies have engaged legal counsel to conduct comprehensive internet-wide evidence preservation and will file civil lawsuits to claim damages; cases involving suspected criminal activity will be reported to competent authorities. (Jiemian News) ▎ Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology Holds Special Liquor Industry Meeting On August 13, the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology convened a special meeting on the liquor industry, attended by departments from the Qionglai production zone and representatives from key liquor enterprises including Shuijingfang and Wenjun. The meeting heard reports on production and operations as well as development suggestions from five key enterprises, exchanged views on industry trends, brand building, and market expansion, and outlined key tasks for the next phase—including category innovation, cultural empowerment, and international expansion. (Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology) ▎ Liquor Prices Down 2.7% Year-on-Year (Jan–Jul) On August 9, the National Bureau of Statistics released consumer price data. In July, national consumer prices rose 0.5% year-on-year and fell 0.1% month-on-month; prices for food, tobacco, alcohol, and dining-out services declined 0.8% year-on-year and remained unchanged month-on-month. Liquor prices dropped 3.0% year-on-year and 0.2% month-on-month; from January to July, liquor prices fell 2.7% year-on-year.

Yunjiu Morning Brief: Xifeng Liquor’s 15-Year and 6-Year expressions see 30% sales growth; Zhenjiu Lido witnesses Jingdezhen porcelain industry’s UNESCO intangible cultural heritage application

On July 22, the 2026 Brands For Good Charity Gala was held in Singapore, where Shede Liquor served as the exclusive official liquor and received the 'Cultural Benevolence Benchmark Award.' Products such as Taste Shede and the Year of the Dragon Zodiac Liquor were showcased onsite. Shede Liquor Industry also donated 50 liters of limited-edition sealed vintage liquor for a public welfare raffle. (Shede Liquor Industry) ▎ Brazilian University Delegation Visits Hengshui Laobaigan On July 25, a delegation led by the Dean of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro visited Hebei Hengshui Laobaigan Liquor Co., Ltd. The delegation toured the Chinese Baijiu Earthen Jar Fermentation Museum, Handcrafted Liquor Workshop No. 8, and the 'First Liquor Warehouse of the People’s Republic of China,' gaining insights into earthen jar fermentation techniques, intangible cultural heritage inheritance, and digital transformation practices. Both sides agreed to strengthen interactions with overseas universities and promote international dissemination of Laobaigan-style baijiu culture. (Hengshui Laobaigan) ▎ Renhuai’s Above-Limit Liquor Enterprises Surpass RMB 100 Billion in Cumulative Sales From January to May, above-limit liquor sales enterprises in Renhuai City achieved cumulative sales of RMB 114.84 billion, up 22% year-on-year. This year, Renhuai City has systematically addressed private enterprise development challenges—and promoted iterative upgrading of the soy sauce-flavored baijiu industry—through three targeted measures: precise policy relief, optimized business environment services, and deep industrial empowerment. (Guizhou Reform) ▎ Yanghe New Area Promotes Digital Integration in Liquor Industry On July 25, Chen Wei, Deputy Mayor of Suqian City and Party Secretary of Yanghe New Area, visited key local enterprises. At the Wanshifu Cloud-Linked Digital Service Operations Center, Chen proposed leveraging Yanghe New Area’s liquor industry advantages to integrate the digital economy with the real liquor economy, empowering brand and business model innovation through digital means. At Jiangsu Heyang Distilling Co., Ltd., he urged the company to expand online sales channels, build 'front-store-back-factory' experiential venues, and standardize offline services. (Yanghe New Area) ▎ Large-Scale Trial Cultivation of Hops in Chamdo, Tibet Recently, the Chamdo Academy of Agricultural Sciences completed its first large-scale trial cultivation at its hops demonstration base. Currently, the base has planted 10 mu (approx. 0.67 hectares) of hops—totaling 9,800 plants—with five varieties introduced from Xinjiang and Gansu provinces. Among them, 'Qingdao Dahua' and 'Manchuro' have successfully flowered and shown robust growth. The project has preliminarily established a high-altitude cultivation technical system covering planting, trellising, irrigation & fertilization, pruning, disease control, and winter survival. Next steps include continued observation of yield and quality to identify hop varieties suitable for promotion across the Chamdo river valley region. (Chamdo Academy of Agricultural Sciences) ▎ Helan Mountain East-Foot Wine Featured at 'Yinchao' On July 25, the 2026 Yinchuan Football Super League opened at Helan Mountain Stadium. The Yinchuan Municipal Wine Industry Development Service Center organized a contingent comprising nearly 20 wineries from the Helan Mountain East-Foot wine region and over 250 industry professionals. Through winery nameplates and themed banners, the contingent collectively showcased regional branding. Further efforts will continue leveraging sports events to expand 'wine-plus' consumption scenarios. (Yinchuan Municipal Wine Industry Development Service Center) ▎ Diageo India Subsidiary Posts 51.6% Profit Growth United Spirits Limited—the Indian subsidiary of Diageo—released unaudited quarterly results. For the three months ended June 30, 2026, the company’s after-tax profit rose 51.6% year-on-year to INR 3.91 billion, while net sales grew 6% to INR 27.03 billion. Net sales of premium and above-tier products rose 10.1%, accounting for 91.7% of total net sales; net sales of mass-market products declined 17.5% to INR 2.06 billion. Gross profit rose 11.2%, with gross margin at 46.1%.

Diageo's Indian unit posts lower quarterly profit on weak sales of lower-priced brands

17 hours ago

Diageo's Indian unit United Spirits reported a 2% profit drop and 2.7% revenue decline in Q2 due to weak sales of lower-priced brands amidst tax hikes and regulatory scrutiny in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

reuters

2026-08-02

India Bars Some Diageo, Inbrew Liquor Over Flavouring Violations

2026-08-08

India Warns Diageo Over Misleading Whisky Maturation Claims

2026-08-11

Diageo Challenges India Rum Ban Over Due Process Concerns

2026-08-17

Diageo Agrees to Reformulate India Whisky and Rum After Flavouring Breach, Sources Say

2026-10-19

India Probes Pernod, Diageo Over Scotch Import Tariffs Under Trade Pact