Raicilla exports grow 307%

Guadalajara, Jal. La Raicilla, the second agave distillate produced in Jalisco which has a Denomination of Origin as of 2019, grew its exports by 307% and is emerging as a agroindustry with high growth potential for the state.

According to a study of the sector prepared by the Institute of Statistical and Geographic Information of the State of Jalisco (IIEG), Raicilla exports went from 64,316 dollars in the period January-August 2021 to 261,637 dollars in the same period of 2022.

Most of the exports of Raicilla It was destined for the United States, although the distillate is also exported to other nations such as Germany, Australia, Spain or Italy.

According to the study, up to now there has been no significant participation of foreign partners in this agro-industry, since only 1.6% of the companies surveyed said that there is foreign investment in their company, coming entirely from United Kingdom.

The production of this drink is concentrated in four municipalities; Most of the Raicilla producing plants are located in Mascota with 31.3% of the total; It is followed by San Sebastián del Oeste with 20%, Mixtlán with 17.1% and Cabo Corrientes with 8.6% of the taverns.

The survey carried out by the IIEG on this DO drink highlights that 43.8% of the companies reported that their sales increased during the first half of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 and only 7.8% said that they decreased.

Sales expectations for the second half of 2022 are positive since 71.9% of the producing companies expect their sales to increase compared to the same period of the previous year and none expect their sales to decrease.

Regarding the presence of the Raicilla in other states of the country, 100% of the companies that sell in Mexico do so in Jalisco, 22.2% also sell in Nayarit and 16.7% have sales in Mexico City.

agave consumption

Regarding the tons of agave harvested, during 2021 59.6% of the companies that are dedicated to the cultivation of this plant harvested less than one ton, 17% harvested between 1 and 10; 17% harvested from 11 to 50 tons and 4.3% more than 50 tons, being the municipality of Mascota where agave is grown the most for the production of Raicilla.

Regarding the types of agave cultivated, during 2021 84.2% opted for the Maximiliana Baker agave, followed by the Angustifolia Haw with 21.1% and the Rhodacantha with 5.3%. However, in 2022 it was observed that other types of agave such as Inaequidens Koch began to be cultivated.

estados@eleconomista.mx

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