Fuling Zhacai(002507) 中国经营报·2025-05-09 21:15Core Viewpoint - Fuling Zhacai is planning to acquire 51% of Sichuan Weizimei Food Technology Co., Ltd. to enter the compound seasoning market, amid ongoing revenue and profit declines [1][5]. Financial Performance - Fuling Zhacai has experienced consecutive declines in revenue and net profit for two years, with 2023 revenue at 2.45 billion yuan, down 3.86% year-on-year, and net profit at 827 million yuan, down 8.04% [2]. - In 2024, revenue is projected to be 2.387 billion yuan, a decrease of 2.56%, with net profit expected to be 799 million yuan, down 3.29% [2]. - The company's flagship product, pickled mustard tuber, has also shown declining performance, with revenues dropping from 2.175 billion yuan in 2022 to 2.044 billion yuan in 2024 [2]. Market Challenges - The decline in performance is attributed to increased market competition, a single product structure overly reliant on pickled mustard tuber, changing consumer habits, and operational inefficiencies [3]. - The number of distributors has decreased significantly, particularly in the South China region, where it dropped by 58.41% [4]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition of Weizimei is aimed at leveraging both companies' strengths to enhance product offerings and distribution channels [5][10]. - Weizimei, established in 2018, has a total asset value of 203 million yuan and reported revenues of 284 million yuan in 2023 [6]. Strategic Implications - Post-acquisition, Fuling Zhacai aims to utilize Weizimei's established B-end resources to penetrate the restaurant market and expand its product sales [6][10]. - The transition to B-end business presents challenges, including the need for new sales channels and brand recognition [7]. Competitive Landscape - The compound seasoning market is highly competitive, with numerous local players, including Shentang and Weimanlong, posing significant challenges for differentiation [8][9]. - The market for hot pot base ingredients is projected to grow significantly, reaching 48 billion yuan in 2024 and potentially exceeding 100 billion yuan by 2029 [9].