Guadalajara, Jalisco.– The Government of Jalisco and the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) signed a new collaboration agreement to advance a sustainable production model that ensures tequila is made without causing deforestation and under environmentally responsible practices.
The initiative is supported by the Agave Responsable Ambiental (ARA) certification, registered in 2021 with Mexico’s Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), which certifies that agave used in tequila production does not come from deforested areas.
To date, more than 15,000 hectares of forest have been protected, and 402 million agave plants have been recorded on 121,800 hectares in Jalisco, all owned by over 15,000 agave producers.
Paola Bauche Petersen, head of the state’s Environmental and Territorial Development Secretariat (SEMADET), announced that over 213,000 compatibility reports have been generated using the state’s “Mapa Jalisco” platform, which helps producers identify sustainable planting zones.
“Our goal is for all agave used in tequila production by 2027 to come from land that has not caused deforestation since 2016,” said Bauche Petersen.
Fernando de Jesús Guerrero Vázquez, Vice President of the CRT, added that the industry is working toward 2030 sustainability goals through projects that include water and energy efficiency, waste treatment, circular economy models, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Mauro Garza Marín, Jalisco’s Economic Development Coordinator, emphasized the tequila industry’s economic impact: “More than 100,000 families rely directly on tequila. Over 400 million liters are produced annually, with more than 300 million exported worldwide.”
With this agreement, Jalisco strengthens its leadership in promoting tequila that not only reflects national identity but also respects the environment.
