Baijiu on a grain high

Feeling the pinch of the global grain price rise, many Chinese spirits makers are raising, or considering raising, prices of Chinese liquor baijiu.

Market leaders such as Kweichow Moutai and Wuliangye have already raised prices of some products several times this year. Some smaller and regional liquor makers are now following in their footstep. The price increases usually range from 10 to 30 percent.

Tuopai Qujiu, a liquor maker based in Sichuan, on Monday announced that it would increase the price of its Shede series by 10-15 percent. The company attributed it to inflation, which has pushed up production and operating costs.