• EXPORTS: Exports of mezcal spirit have dried up amid major order cancellations in recent weeks from top markets -including the US- given the global coronavirus shock, according to Mexico’s mezcal chamber (CANAIMEZ). Currently, producers are only recording a small volume of online sales.
• NUMBERS: Last year, Mexico produced 7.1 million liters of mezcal, the smoky agave spirit that has grown in popularity overseas in recent years. More than 4.7 million liters of mezcal were destined for the export market, which is dominated by the US (accounting for 70% of exports).
• MARKETS: “Let us hope that the countries that are most affected (by the coronavirus outbreak), which are also the large consumers of mezcal: the US, Italy, France, and Spain, come out of this crisis as soon possible and start making orders”, said Luis España, head of CANAIMEZ.
• COMPARISON: Mezcal production is still far behind from that of its ultra-popular cousin, tequila, which reached 351 million liters in 2019. Mexican producers said earlier this month that US consumers are drinking more tequila at home given lockdown orders in most states.
