Southwest China's Sichuan Provincetook the lead of the country in liquor sales during the January-September period this year, according to figures from Sichuan Provincial Brewery Association.

Medium- and large-sized suppliers reported nearly 17.77 billionyuan (2.14 billion US dollars) of liquor sales, up 16.29 percent from the same period last year, including 2.47 billion yuan (297.11 million US dollars) of profits, up 21.57 percent from the same period last year.

Six historically renowned brands, Wuliangye, Jiannanchun, Luzhoulaojiao, Quanxing, Langjiu and Tuopai showed better performances from the same period last year. They raked in nearly 15.68 billion yuan (1.89 billion US dollars) of sales, about 88.23percent of the provincial total.

Judging from national figures, Sichuan still took the lead in national liquor industry, taking about 40.85 percent and 50.09 percent of the national liquor sales and profits, said Zhang Shengming, director of Sichuan Provincial Food Industry Association.

China's liquor industry reported 43.5 billion yuan (5.24 billion US dollars) of sales volume, including 4.17 billion yuan (502.77 million US dollars) of profits, Zhang said.

The beer industry also maintained growth momentum in the first three quarters in Sichuan, with 21 medium- and large-sized breweries registered. They reported nearly 2.38 billion yuan (286.27 million US dollars) of sales volume in the firs three quarters,including 308 million yuan (37.11 million US dollars) of profits.

Source: Xinhua