Maotai, China's national liquor served at official occasions and state banquets, is expected to see its output top 30,000 tonnes in 2011, up 14.2 percent year-on-year.

The total liquor output of the Kweichow Maotai Group is expected to reach 63,000 tonnes, up 20.7 percent from last year as the group also produces other kinds of spirits, according to this week's economic work conference of the southwestern province of Guizhou, where the distillery is located.

Maotai, brewed in the town of Maotai in Guizhou, or Kweichow, has been considered the country's top brand as well as a status symbol for decades. The small town is believed to possess a unique climate and vegetation that contributes to the taste of the drink.

The group's pre-tax sales revenue has reached 23.7 billion yuan (3.76 billion U.S. dollars) so far this year, up 52.2 percent compared with the same period last year, according to the conference.

The value of the group's liquor exports stood at 100 million dollars in 2011.

This year, the group started 61 new projects with a total investment of 4.66 billion yuan.

The share price of Kweichow Moutai (600519.SH) rose by 0.83 percent to 191.8 yuan at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

The group is expecting its annual revenue to top 50 billion yuan by 2015.

Source:chinesestock