Gitnux/Report 2026

Tequila Industry Statistics

US tequila consumption hit 300 million liters in 2022 while sales rose 17% to $6 billion, and premium bottles over $25 already make up 40% of volume. Follow how Mexico produced a record 785.5 million liters of certified 100% agave tequila, with exports surging to $3.2 billion and the US taking 85% of the haul.
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Tequila Industry Statistics
Lukas BauerWritten by Lukas Bauer·Edited by Marie Larsen·Fact-checked by Claire Beaumont
Last verified Jul 6, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

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Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

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Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Next review Jan 2027
In 2022, the US drank 300 million liters of tequila, but that volume tells only part of the picture since sales value hit $6 billion after growing 17%. Meanwhile, premium is already driving the mix with the above $25 segment making up 40% of US volume, even as Mexico’s tequila exports climb to $3.2 billion and reach 320 million liters into the US.

Key Takeaways

  • US consumption of tequila reached 300 million liters in 2022
  • Tequila sales in the US grew 17% in value to $6 billion in 2022
  • Premium tequila segment (> $25/bottle) is 40% of US sales volume
  • Tequila market revenue in Mexico $4.5 billion in 2022
  • Tequila industry employs 55,000 direct jobs in Mexico
  • Agave farmers (campesinos) number 15,000, generating $500 million
  • Mexico tequila exports value reached $3.2 billion in 2022
  • US imported 85% of Mexico's tequila exports in 2022 (320 million liters)
  • Tequila exports grew 14% in volume and 20% in value in 2022
  • In 2022, Mexico produced 785.5 million liters of certified 100% agave tequila
  • Tequila production increased by 15.5% from 2021 to 2022, reaching a record high
  • Over 2,000 tequila brands are registered with the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT)
  • Tequila market projected to grow at 6.5% CAGR to 2028
  • Premiumization trend: 50% sales growth in super-premium 2018-2022
  • RTD cocktails with tequila up 100% since 2020

In 2022, tequila surged with record production, rising US sales, and growing premium demand worldwide.

Related reading

01 · Category

Consumption26 stats

01
US consumption of tequila reached 300 million liters in 2022
02
Tequila sales in the US grew 17% in value to $6 billion in 2022
03
Premium tequila segment (> $25/bottle) is 40% of US sales volume
04
Millennials account for 55% of tequila drinkers in the US
05
Global tequila consumption hit 500 million liters in 2022
06
US imports 80% of all exported tequila
07
Tequila RTDs (ready-to-drink) sales up 50% YoY in 2022 US
08
Women represent 45% of tequila consumers, up from 30% in 2015
09
Average US consumer drinks tequila 4 times per month
10
Mexico domestic consumption is 15% of production, about 100 million liters
11
Europe tequila consumption grew 25% 2020-2022 to 50 million liters
12
Cocktail consumption drives 70% of US tequila sales (margaritas etc.)
13
Super-premium tequila (> $50) sales up 30% in 2022
14
Gen Z tequila trial rate up 40% since 2020
15
Tequila now 3rd largest spirits category in US by volume
16
Organic tequila consumption doubled 2019-2022
17
UK tequila sales volume 15 million liters in 2022, up 20%
18
25% of US consumers prefer añejo tequila
19
Tequila seltzers/RDTs reached $500 million sales in 2023 H1
20
Australia consumption 5 million liters, growing 15% annually
21
Hispanic consumers 60% of US tequila drinkers
22
Home consumption of tequila up 35% post-COVID
23
Blanco tequila 50% of US consumption share
24
Tequila festival attendance 1 million globally in 2022
25
Average consumption per capita in US: 0.8 liters annually
26
Reposado 30% of consumption in premium segment
Interpretation

Consumption Interpretation

In the Consumption picture, US tequila demand is booming with 300 million liters consumed in 2022 and US sales rising 17% to $6 billion, while a premium skew is clear as the segment above $25 per bottle makes up 40% of volume and Millennials represent 55% of drinkers.

02 · Category

Economic20 stats

01
Tequila market revenue in Mexico $4.5 billion in 2022
02
Tequila industry employs 55,000 direct jobs in Mexico
03
Agave farmers (campesinos) number 15,000, generating $500 million
04
Tequila contributes 2% to Jalisco's GDP ($1.2 billion)
05
Global tequila market value $12.5 billion in 2023
06
US tequila market size $7.5 billion in 2022
07
Average retail price US: $25per 750ml bottle
08
Tequila taxes in Mexico generate $800 million annually
09
Investment in new distilleries: $500 million 2020-2023
10
Export revenue growth 22% to $4 billion forecast 2023
11
70,000 indirect jobs from tourism and supply chain
12
Premium segment revenue 60% of total market value
13
Tequila RTD market $1.2 billion globally 2023
14
Brand valuation: Patron $2 billion
15
Jose Cuervo revenue $1.5 billion from tequila 2022
16
Agave supply chain costs 40% of production expenses
17
Tourism from tequila trail: 10 million visitors, $1 billion spend
18
Global market CAGR 7% 2023-2030 to $20 billion
19
Sustainability investments $100 million annually
20
E-commerce tequila sales up 40% to $1 billion US 2022
Interpretation

Economic Interpretation

Economically, Mexico’s tequila sector is a major driver of jobs and value, with $4.5 billion in market revenue in 2022 and 55,000 direct jobs, while the industry’s $1.2 billion contribution to Jalisco GDP (2%) underscores how strongly the economic benefits are concentrated in its home region.

03 · Category

Exports20 stats

01
Mexico tequila exports value reached $3.2 billion in 2022
02
US imported 85% of Mexico's tequila exports in 2022 (320 million liters)
03
Tequila exports grew 14% in volume and 20% in value in 2022
04
Europe received 40 million liters of tequila exports in 2022
05
Average export price per liter: $8.30in 2022, up from $7.20
06
China tequila imports up 50% to 2 million liters in 2022
07
UK imported 12 million liters, value $120 million in 2022
08
Total tequila exports from Mexico: 428 million liters in 2021
09
Premium tequila exports up 25% YoY to US
10
Australia imports 4 million liters annually, growing 18%
11
Canada tequila imports 25 million liters, $250 million value
12
Brazil emerging market with 1.5 million liters imported 2022
13
Duty-free tequila sales at airports: 5 million liters globally
14
100% agave tequila exports: 110 million liters in 2022
15
Korea imports doubled to 1 million liters in 2022
16
EU tequila import tariffs reduced to 0% post-trade deal
17
Top export brand: Jose Cuervo, 30% market share
18
Tequila export growth to Asia: 30% CAGR 2018-2022
19
Mexico-US tequila trade value $2.7 billion in 2022
20
Japan imports 3 million liters, premium focus
Interpretation

Exports Interpretation

In 2022, Mexico’s tequila exports totaled $3.2 billion and grew 14% by volume and 20% by value, with the US taking 85% at 320 million liters, underscoring how exports are being driven by strong demand in key markets.

More related reading

04 · Category

Production30 stats

01
In 2022, Mexico produced 785.5 million liters of certified 100% agave tequila
02
Tequila production increased by 15.5% from 2021 to 2022, reaching a record high
03
Over 2,000 tequila brands are registered with the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT)
04
Jalisco state accounts for 85% of all tequila production in Mexico
05
In 2023, agave harvests for tequila reached 1.2 million tons
06
Number of certified tequila producers grew to 175 in 2022 from 169 in 2021
07
100% agave tequila constitutes 25% of total production volume
08
Tequila exports in volume terms hit 385 million liters in 2022
09
Average agave plant maturity period is 7-8 years for blue agave used in tequila
10
In 2021, tequila production was 680 million liters, up 40% from 2019
11
Los Altos region in Jalisco produces 70% of premium tequilas
12
CRT certified 1,800 agave growers in 2022
13
Tequila production capacity expanded by 20% in new distilleries since 2020
14
Blue agave covers 80,000 hectares in designated regions
15
In H1 2023, production reached 400 million liters
16
Mixto tequila (with up to 49% other sugars) makes up 75% of production
17
12 million agave plants harvested in 2022
18
Number of tequila nom brands increased to 1,700 in 2023
19
Highlands (Los Altos) yield 5-7 kg agave per plant vs. lowlands 3-5 kg
20
Tequila production grew 12% YoY in 2023 Q1-Q2
21
Over 90% of tequila is exported from Mexico
22
Certified tequila exports volume up 16% in 2022
23
Agave prices peaked at $2/kg in 2022 before falling to $0.30/kg in 2023
24
160 operational tequila distilleries in 2022
25
Tequila production forecast for 2023: 850 million liters
26
Lowlands region produces sweeter tequilas with larger agave piñas
27
CRT inspections conducted 50,000 times annually on production
28
Blanco tequila is 60% of production volume
29
Reposado category grew 18% in production 2021-2022
30
Añejo tequila production doubled since 2018
Interpretation

Production Interpretation

In the production segment, Mexico hit a record in 2022 by producing 785.5 million liters of certified 100% agave tequila, up 15.5% from 2021, with the growth also reflected in 175 certified producers and 1.2 million tons of agave harvested in 2023.
report visual · Comparison

Tequila momentum in the US (sales growth and premium expansion)

US tequila demand is rising, with sales growth in value alongside strong premium segment share.

Tequila RTDs (ready-to-drink) sales up 50% YoY in 2022 US50%
Premium tequila segment (> $25/bottle) is 40% of US sales volume40%
Super-premium tequila (> $50) sales up 30% in 202230%
Tequila sales in the US grew 17% in value to $6 billion in 202217%
Reference

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Lukas Bauer. (2026, February 13). Tequila Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/tequila-industry-statistics
MLA
Lukas Bauer. "Tequila Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/tequila-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Lukas Bauer. 2026. "Tequila Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/tequila-industry-statistics.

Sources & references

55 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

crt.org.mxtequilacouncil.orgstatista.comreuters.comtequila-matchmaker.comiwsr.comtequila.netjalisco.gob.mxforbes.comusda.govdistilledspirits.orgnielsen.comttb.govbrown-forman.comnielseniq.commintel.comorganictequila.orgyougov.combevindustry.comdrinkstrade.com.autequilaexchange.comwho.intgov.ukabf.gov.aucbsa-asfc.gc.camdic.gov.brdfni.comkhidi.or.krec.europa.euustr.govcustoms.go.jpiee.jalisco.gob.mxgrandviewresearch.comniq.comsat.gob.mxforbesmexico.commarketresearchfuture.combrandfinance.cominvestors.josecuervo.comvisitjalisco.mxmordorintelligence.comfortunebusinessinsights.combain.comnonalc.orgdrinkstrade.combrandwatch.cominnovamarketinsights.comwine-searcher.combeveragedaily.comnftnow.comhealthline.comtalesofthecocktail.orgcircana.comchristies.comcelebtequila.com