Chinese liquor industry won't step back, experts say  

专家：中国白酒业不会出现倒退 增速趋于理性

“2012年是中国白酒行业的拐点之年，虽然增长速度有所放缓，但白酒行业不会出现倒退现象。”在17日的2012年秋季中国糖酒企业营销论坛上，多位中国白酒行业专家不约而同地表示如此观点。

Fuzhou (CNS) – China's liquor industry saw a turning point in 2012, but it will not step backward despite slow-paced growth, experts said at a marketing forum in the capital of Fujian Province on Wednesday.

The liquor industry achieved an increase of 19.6 percent in production during the last seven months of this year, a drop of 9.1 percent compared to last year. The increase of 29 percent in total revenue was also lower than last year's 38 percent for the same period.

The industry will not grow as fast as it did in the last ten years, said Wang Chaocheng, general manager of Shengchu International Marketing & Communication. Wang attributed the slower growth to a downtrending macro-economy and a crackdown on the use of public funds for official banquets.

Li Tong, another expert, said more consumers have become rational about liquor consumption.

In the future, high-end brands of Chinese liquor may grow slowly, while the middle part may embrace rapid development, Wang said.

The industry is integrating with the world and its development is becoming sustainable, Wang added.