Tequila production in Mexico

• Mexico

Chronicle

2022: Sharp increase in production and exports

Tequila production in Mexico increased sharply in 2022, reaching 651.5 million liters. This is 23.6% more than the previous year. Such figures are reflected in the report of the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), published in mid-January 2023.

It is noted that since the establishment of the CRT in 1994, the volume of tequila production in Mexico has risen by 526%. As of the end of 2022, there were 2,148 operating brands of the corresponding alcoholic drink in this country: of which 1,682 are Mexican, another 466 are foreign.

As of the end of 2022, there were 2,148 existing tequila brands in this country

Exports of tequila are also growing rapidly. In 2022, it reached 416.8 million liters, rising 23.3% compared to the previous year. The largest importer of the drink is USA where 338.5 million liters of tequila were shipped from Mexico in 2022, or 81.2% of total exports. This is followed by (Germany 10.3 million liters) and (Spain 8.94 million liters). The top ten consumers of tequila also included,,,, France, and Britain. Canada Colombia Italy Australia Japan

Manufacturers distinguish two types of drink: this is the so-called tequila of the "100% agave" category, which is made exclusively from blue agave syrup, and "mixed tequila" (Mixta) - when produced, the share of such raw materials is at least 51%. In 2022, the share of the "pure" drink in the total supply reached 72%, while in 10 years before that it slightly exceeded 45%. "100% agave" accounts for approximately 63% of exported tequila.

Against this background, agave consumption is increasing: in 2022, it is estimated to have amounted to 2611.1 million tons, which is 29.3% more compared to 2021. Growing demand for raw materials contributes to the development of the Mexican agro-industrial complex. Agave is supplied by almost 36 thousand local farmers.^[1]

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