Despite the health emergency, output of Mexico’s famous liquor has increased during the first three months of the year.
Production of tequila in January, February and March totaled 89.6 million liters, compared to 82.6 percent in 2019, according to data from the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). The numbers were bolstered by rising exports, which grew by 21.1 percent, from 54.9 to 66.5 million liters.
Unlike some beer companies, tequila producers are working through the contingency, although with reduced personnel. The tequila sector employs more than 70,000 people, and last year produced 351.7 million liters of liquor, of which 70 percent was for export. The market is worth almost $US2 billion, and contributes to 0.2 percent of Mexico’s GDP, according to the CRT.
Around 85 percent of tequila exports are sent to the United States, but worldwide demand has grown significantly in recent years, with countries such as Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Canada and Colombia now major imbibers.