Deforestation and the drop in the price of maguey pineapple are issues that concern the mezcal sector in Oaxaca, according to the Secretary of Agro-Food Promotion and Rural Development (SEFADER), Víctor López Leyva.
These problems are directly affecting one of the most important production chains in the state, which generates employment for more than 55 thousand families, mainly in the Central Valleys and the Southern Sierra.
One of the main challenges is the excessive increase in hectares of cultivated maguey, which has led to a drastic drop in the price of a kilo of maguey pineapple. This went from 13 pesos to only 3 pesos, seriously affecting producers who depend on this activity for their livelihood.
Added to this situation is the upcoming entry into force of a European regulation, which starting next year will prohibit the import of products from deforested areas.
This could restrict the access of Oaxacan mezcal to key international markets, making the economic situation of producers difficult.
Ninety percent of the mezcal produced in Mexico comes from Oaxaca, which underlines the importance of this industry for the state. According to figures from the Mezcal Regulatory Council, in the last year about 13 million certified liters were produced, a significant but small amount compared to the 300 million liters produced annually by the tequila industry.
Secretary López Leyva called for a thorough analysis of the problem and the search for alternatives that will guarantee the sustainability of the maguey-mezcal production chain.
“It is necessary to act in a coordinated manner to protect producers and ensure the future of an industry that is not only an economic engine, but also a symbol of Oaxacan identity,” said the state official.
Source: cuartaplana
