Combined sales of tequila and mezcal grew 17.7% and accounted for $6 billion in revenue in 2022, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. However, the growth of agave spirits could potentially present sustainability issues for the agave plant in Mexico.
Whiskey grains like corn and barley grow to maturation in a matter of months, but Blue Weber agave, the base ingredient in tequila, has a maturation period of five to nine years. Some tequila brands are responding by introducing initiatives dedicated to the sustainability of agave. For example, Bacardi's Cazadores created a sustainability certification that helps agaveros improve their agricultural practices to increase the quantity and quality of their harvest.
“Agave supply chain and pricing continue to be a challenge today for all producers,” noted Lander Otegui, SVP of Marketing at Proximo Spirits. “However, together with the Tequila Regulatory Council, other industry members and growers, we are becoming more sophisticated in our planning and forecasting models to mitigate shortages.” [Beverage Dynamics]
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