kweichow moutai top ten chinese companies

Kweichow Moutai, Wuliangye… baijiu in the top 10 listed companies in China

By Marie-France 12.01.2021

Baijiu has a strong presence both in China and the world, the industry in China produced about 735 kL in November 2020 (Statista 2021).

The official account of 21st Century Business Herald in WeChat published a report according to which the top 500 Chinese companies are ranked in terms of market value in 2020. Through this list we find the Top 10 listed Chinese companies in terms of market value. To the surprise of many, Chinese baijiu alcohol is present in this top 10 with Kweichow Moutai Group and Wuliangye. Last Tuesday, the shares of Kweichow Moutai Group reached a historical high (2.12%) in the stock market session ($333.82).

Kweichow Moutai, main baijiu producer, enjoys great popularity in China. It is the most valued alcoholic beverage manufacturer in the world. It is even larger than large groups such as LVMH ($193 billion), with a capital six times that of Pernod Ricard, and more than AB InBev, Diageo and Heineken combined. Moutai has become the elite brand of choice in China. And it surprises not only local consumers, but also Westerners.

Wuliangye, produced in the city of Yibin in Shichuan province, is the second most valuable baijiu producer. Its shares increased by 150% in 2020, driven by a 30% growth in profitability in 2018. Wuliangye has a turnover of $6.1 billion earned entirely in China unlike Moutai, who also has an overseas reach.