Moutai moves to double output

Xinhua News reports that China's leading liquor producer the Guizhou-based Kweichow Moutai reported an output of 23,000 tons of base liquor in 2009 thanks to its efforts to boost production, Lin Shusen, governor of Guizhou province, said Tuesday.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed company has yet to report its annual results of 2009 to investors and the regulatory commission, which is expected this month.

The advance disclosure by the provincial governor came on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

The share price of Kweichow Moutai was flat at 163.17 yuan ($23.9) on Tuesday.

The Guizhou-based Kweichou Moutai, crowned as "China's national liquor", has worked hard during the recent years to increase its output to meet increasing demands for high-end liquor within the country.

Kweichou Moutai's six-month net profit surged 24.59 percent year on year to 2.79 billion yuan in the first half of 2009, according to the company's half-year report to the Shanghai Stock Exchange last August.

The company recorded sales revenue of 10.3 billion yuan in 2008.

Kweichou Moutai, where a large number of taxes and revenues are from for Renhuai city and the province, previously announced plans to invest 20 billion yuan to nearly double annual output within five to 10 years.

Local government has invested more than 3 billion yuan to protect local environment and the Chishui River, the water source for Kweichow Moutai.

Environmental protection measures include relocation of 10,000 local residents, closures of 400 liquor workshops and restraints on development of high-polluting coal and cement industries.

About Kweichou Moutai

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd. is principally engaged in the manufacture and sale of distilled spirits, under the brand name of Moutai. The Company's products include millesimes liquor series, gift liquor series, common liquor series and other liquor series. The millesimes liquor series offers 15-year old Moutai, 30-year old Moutai, 50-year old Moutai and 80-year old Moutai. The gift liquor series offers Muzhen, Big Muzhen, Zhizhen, Four-in-one Package (Sculpture) Moutai Liquor, Two-in-one Package (Gold Placer) Moutai Liquor, Luxury Package Moutai Liquor (Crimson) and Luxury Package Moutai Liquor(Golden).

The Company distributes its products throughout PRC and exports to overseas markets. source