MEXICO CITY -(Dow Jones)- Mexican tequila producers had a positive year in 2008, distilling record amounts of the liquor and also exporting more, an industry group said Monday.
The Jalisco-based Tequila Regulatory Council said national production last year rose 10% to 312 million liters, with production of tequila made entirely from the blue agave plant up 20% from 2007 to 163 million liters.
Exports rose 1.7% to 137 million liters, with 100% agave tequila exports up 5% to 35 million liters, the council said.
The U.S. continues to be the biggest foreign market for tequila exports, followed by the European Union.
A record 1 million tons of agave were used last year to produce tequila, the council added.
By Anthony Harrup, Dow Jones Newswires
DJNewsPlus.com
