Tequila Day is celebrated on July 24 to commemorate the day that Unesco declared the old industrial facilities and the agave plant landscapes in the town of Tequila, Jalisco, as a world heritage site.
The production of tequila increased by 6% in 2020 to the historic 374 million liters, and only in the first half of 2021 it already accumulates an annual growth of more than 37% with about 260 million, reveals data from the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT).
Meanwhile, exports increased 16% in 2020 to almost 286.7 million liters, while in the first half of this year they have already risen 22.45% annually, exceeding 157 million, according to the CRT.
The export of tequila and mezcal is the third agri-food product with the most foreign demand, only behind beer and avocado, reports the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture.
“In numbers, (the pandemic) has not hurt the tequila industry so much, in reality, they have continued to sell. It’s funny but part of the confinement is trying to calm down with a few drinks, ” Ricardo Flores, an expert at the Museum of Tequila and Mezcal (Mutem) in Mexico City, told EFE in a recent interview.
But the drink faces challenges beyond its numbers and the pandemic.
The organization, The Climate Reality Project, has warned of the “devastating” effects of the climate crisis on the cultivation of agave, which suffers from extreme temperature changes such as heatwaves and effects on rainfall patterns.
Losing the agave would increase pollution because the plant can extract and store the equivalent of 30 to 60 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare.
“Mexico risks losing a strong economic income: in 2019 alone the industry generated more than 70,000 jobs,” he warns in an analysis.
Another challenge is to take care of the denomination of origin worldwide, for which the CRT has achieved protection in 55 countries in the world.
Just this month, the Council reported an agreement with Heineken that resolves legal disputes over the use of the word “tequila” in the Desperados beer produced by the Dutch company.
“Unfortunately, the twentieth-century regulations came perhaps too late for our drinks, they began in Europe, but today respect for tequila is worldwide,” says Flores.
Trending News
How Tropical Storm Simon Could Affect Puerto Vallarta Simon is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane as Puerto Vallarta faces heavier rain and rising surf over the next 48 hours.
Hurricane Simon Eyes Puerto Vallarta This Weekend Jalisco prepares for a possible weekend approach by Simón as forecasters warn of heavy rain, strong winds and high surf along the coast.
Puerto Vallarta placed under hurricane watch for Simon Puerto Vallarta is under a hurricane watch for Simon. Tropical storm conditions are possible Saturday, with hurricane conditions Saturday night.
Puerto Vallarta Under Hurricane Warning as Simon Grows Hurricane Simon reached Category 1 strength Thursday night as Puerto Vallarta moved from a hurricane watch to a warning amid coastal preparations.
Puerto Vallarta Plans Evacuations as Simon Approaches Puerto Vallarta prepares for Hurricane Simon with targeted evacuations, school closures, shelter plans and extra emergency crews.
Puerto Vallarta Hotel Guests May Be Moved Before Simon Puerto Vallarta hotels in risk areas may move guests and workers to shelters Friday as officials prepare for Tropical Storm Simon.
Two Punta Paraíso Towers Must Come Down After Court Ruling A federal court upheld demolition of two Punta Paraíso towers in San Pancho, days after dangerous surf forced the evacuation of 13 tourists.
San Pancho tourists evacuated as waves expose tower bases Authorities evacuated 13 tourists from Punta Paraíso in San Pancho after waves exposed foundations and prompted the property’s closure.
Vallarta storm damage raises questions over coastal permits Storm damage in Puerto Vallarta and San Pancho prompts a call to review coastal permits as officials assess buildings and Malecón repairs.
Jalisco Deploys Nearly 200 Officers Ahead of Simón Jalisco mobilized nearly 200 emergency officers and opened command posts as Tropical Storm Simón approaches a coast now under hurricane watch.
