Ay caramba! Bad news for tequila drinkers…
Mexico tells the world to brace for massive tequila shortage
EXPORTS of tequila from Mexico have increased by 198% in the past ten years – and an agave plant shortage (from which the drink is made) means the market may be severely affected for the next several years.
This could also potentially shoot the price of the drink up as the demand exceeds supply.
Forty-two million Agave plants are needed by companies in 2018, but only just under eighteen million plants have reached full maturity.
Agave plants take seven to eight years to reach full maturity.
Over the past two years, the price of the Agave plants has risen from about twenty-one cents a kilogram in 2016, to $1.18 currently.
How is tequila made?
Tequila is made from the blue agave, which, when its leaves are sheared, leave a massive pit referred to in Spanish as the ‘piña’ or pineapple. The agave juice that will be fermented and distilled into tequila comes from heating and crushing the piña.
WATCH how the drink is produced and distilled :
Vote for your favourite business in Zululand here: BestofZululand.co.za
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
