Tequila’s export footprint currently faces a strategic challenge: over 83% of international shipments are concentrated in the United States. Although this trade relationship under the T-MEC guarantees smooth operations, the industry is seeking to diversify its destinations toward mass markets. On this horizon, India stands out as a top priority with its population of over 1.4 billion.

However, access to the Indian market must first overcome a fiscal wall: a 150% customs tariff on imported alcoholic beverages, compounded by local taxes. This tax burden triples the cost of a bottle on the shelf, confining the agave spirit to ultra-luxury niches.

Faced with this scenario, the Cámara Nacional de la Industria Tequilera (CNIT) and the Secretaría de Economía have reactivated bilateral talks to negotiate preferential quotas and the gradual reduction of taxes. The goal is to position tequila within the growing Asian middle class. Overcoming this trade barrier is not merely an expansion opportunity, but a fundamental geopolitical safeguard to sustain the growth of the agavera agribusiness in the coming years.