The Agave Spirits Market consists of beverages made using agave and includes such beverage types as tequila and mezcal, which are the most well-known categories of such drinks. The government of Mexico considers tequila and mezcal as denominations of origin, while such beverages as bacanora and raicilla are the examples of other agave spirits.

What are agave spirits?

Agave spirits are alcoholic beverages that have been distilled using the hearts or other permitted materials of agave plants, which were cooked and fermented previously. While tequila refers to blue Weber agave and its denomination of origin region, mezcal includes such agave species and their production territories. Mexico's official registry of denomination of origin refers to tequila and mezcal as protected spirit categories.

What are the major agave spirits?

The largest and most popular agave spirits include tequila and mezcal categories, while such beverages as bacanora and raicilla are the examples of additional protected Mexican agave spirits. The Ministry of Agriculture of Mexico mentions tequila, mezcal, bacanora and raicilla among the protected agave spirits of Mexico.

How is tequila produced?

Tequila is produced using blue Weber agave produced within the demarcated denomination of origin. The agaves are harvested and processed before being fermented and distilled and finally matured or bottled based on the tequila type. The protected designation outlines the geographical and production specifications of tequila which sets it apart from other spirits made from agave.

How is mezcal produced?

Mezcal production typically involves cooking the agave hearts, crushing the cooked product, fermenting the sugars obtained and then distilling the fermenting mixture. The production process has been outlined by Mexico’s agricultural authorities as cooking, milling, fermentation and distillation, with traditional processes still being critical in some of the producing regions.

What is the size of the tequila industry?

Tequila offers one of the clearest primary metrics for the entire agave spirit industry. For the first half of 2026, 302.1 million liters of tequila was produced and 214.4 million liters was exported, according to the Consejo Regulador del Tequila. Tequila exports were noted to be 3.3% higher compared to the same period in the preceding year, with 1.17 million metric tons of agave used in tequila production.

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