Maotai Liquor [File Photo: tjkx.com]

Maotai Liquor, the world-renowned wine in China, will still be short in supply in 2008, though a greater amount of Maotai liquor will be made available on the market this year.

Chongqing Morning Post reports that all five Maotai franchised stores in this southwest Chinese Municipality have imposed control on the sales volume of Maotai liquor. For instance, one store put up a notice, limiting the daily sale of "Feitian", a brand of Maotai, at 12 bottles.

Board Chairman Qin Hongzhi of Chongqing Sugar and Liquor Company explains that the inadequate supply stems from the rapidly increasing market demand, as today more consumers can afford to drink this luxury.

Statistics show that market demand for famous alcohol products rises by 30 percent annually.

Though the supply of Maotai Liquor in 2008 is also expected to be 10 percent greater than that of last year, an insider estimates that it still cannot relieve pressure from the rocketing demand, including provisions distributed for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The insider in the Maotai liquor industry added that the short supply would be eased in 2009.

In 2007, 6,800 tons of Maotai was sold in the market. The tight supply also resulted from the rigorous requirement that Maotai should be aged for a minimum of five years before going on the market.

Maotai Liquor, brewed in southwest China's Guizhou Province, is honored as a national treasure and widely recognized as an elegant gift during festivals.