“2023 was a year of challenges that will give way to new opportunities. It was a successful year in terms of reaffirming the foundations for tequila to continue expanding, under new schemes for the care and responsible use of resources; which at the same time manages to integrate and bring benefits to the inhabitants of the municipalities recognized with the Denomination of Origin,” said the director of the CRT, Ramón González Figueroa.
Tequila advances to become the most sustainable distillate in the world.
2024 will mark the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the Appellation of Origin Tequila, and the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Tequila Regulatory Council.
Zapopan, Jalisco, January 12, 2024.- During the year 2023, those who are part of the tequila agroindustry, together with the Tequila Regulatory Council A.C. (CRT), emphasized a goal that seems closer every day: turning the national drink into a product that, in addition to already being an icon of Mexicanness, is also recognized as a successful model of integration with the environment, natural and commitment to their communities.
This was stated by the director of the CRT, Ramón González Figueroa, who stated that one of the greatest achievements of this agribusiness during the year that just ended was, precisely, having consolidated those programs that will be fundamental for tequila to achieve global leadership, characterized for its high-quality standards and its maximum adherence to principles of sustainability and social responsibility.
“2023 was a year of challenges that gave way to new opportunities. It was a successful year in terms of reaffirming the foundations for tequila to continue expanding, under new schemes for the care and responsible use of resources; which at the same time integrates and brings benefits to the inhabitants of the municipalities recognized with the Denomination of Origin.”
“In 2024 conditions will be in place to confirm that tequila is the pride of Mexico, and all that work carried out will soon be highly visible, This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the Appellation of Origin Tequila and the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Tequila Regulatory Council, responsible for protecting and safeguarding the first Appellation of Origin in Mexico,” he said.
Recounting some of the actions carried out during the last twelve months and the most relevant events of 2023 for the tequila industry, the director of the CRT elaborated: “We continue with firm steps in the sustainability strategy of the Agave Tequila Productive Chain. For example, Michoacán recently joined Jalisco and Guanajuato to guarantee that agave crops for the production of the drink do not cause deforestation, through the implementation of ARA (Environmentally Responsible Agave). By the way, the first batch of deforestation-free tequila from Guanajuato was also presented.”
“In the first quarter of 2023, the Agave-Tequila Sustainability Research Consortium was launched; and our organization was elected representative of the Board of Associations of the Business Alliance for Climate of Jalisco.”
On the other hand, he highlighted that a collaboration agreement was signed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reaffirm the commitment to strengthen the protection of tequila in Mexico and abroad, as well as agreements were signed with institutions and organizations that have contributed to the promotion of the tequila agroindustry, such as the University of Guadalajara, the Institute of Technology and Higher Studies of Monterrey, Guadalajara Campus; and the National Interprofessional Cognac Bureau. In 2023, Guatemala became the 57th country to recognize and protect the Tequila Designation of Origin.
“All of these are indicators of the direction we are taking for agribusiness, and they are also invaluable links to create a common front around these values that should characterize new generation industries, which are quality, authenticity, sustainability and community integration,” he reiterated.
In 2024, the tequila agroindustry will continue working on strategic planning for the productive chain in collaboration with academic and research institutions, as well as all levels of government. Linkages will be sought between agave growers and tequila growers via contract farming and the acquisition of raw materials under favorable conditions for both parties.
In addition to the implementation of consumption and supply prediction models, the opening of meteorological stations to provide timely and accurate information regarding climate change, among other actions.
Statistics January-December 2023.
- Tequila production 598.7 million liters.
- Tequila exports 399.2 million liters
- Agave consumption 2.2 million tons.
- 2,539 certified tequila brands.
- 41,180 agave producers.
- 198 tequila producers.
Much to celebrate
- From April 15 to 27, 2024, the 50 years of the Appellation of Origin Tequila (AOT) and the 30th anniversary of the Tequila Regulatory Council A.C. will be celebrated, with different activities. (CRT)
