Despite confinement measures by Covid-19, the tequila agribusiness continued to operate as it is considered an essential activity.
Guadalajara, Jal. Despite the crisis generated by the Covid-19 pandemic on a global scale, at the end of 2020 the tequila agribusiness -which was considered an essential activity during the months in which economic activities were suspended in Jalisco-, reached record figures in production and export of the drink as well as the consumption of agave.
According to statistics from the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), the production of the national drink in 2020 grew 6.3% compared to 2019, going from 351.7 to 374 million liters.
By the way, 2020 was the best year for the production of the 100% agave category that reached its all-time high with 228 million liters.
Meanwhile, tequila exports grew in double digits, going from 245.8 million liters sold abroad in 2019, to 286 million liters in 2020, which represents a growth of 16.3 percent.
In this area, the 100% agave category also reaches its highest historical level of exports, sending 163.1 million liters of 100% agave tequila to the world, the CRT said in a statement.
According to the CRT, the United States remained the main international destination for the Mexican drink, receiving 254 million liters of tequila last year; that is, 88.9% of the total exports of the beverage.
In the top ten of the main consumers of the first Mexican Denomination of Origin, they appear, after the United States, Germany, Spain and Canada. France, Latvia, Australia, United Kingdom, Italy and Colombia.
For its part, the consumption of Tequilana Weber blue variety agave increased 4.8% compared to 2019, closing last year with 1.4 million tons consumed for the production of tequila.
In terms of international protection, during 2020 the registration was achieved in New Zealand, Singapore and Ukraine, which adds up to 55 countries in which tequila is protected.
