What this market covers
Distilled spirits made from agave, including tequila and mezcal. Buyers are drinkers, bars, restaurants and liquor retailers.
Typical segments
- Tequila
- Mezcal
- Sotol and other agave spirits
- Ready to drink agave cocktails
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +250% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted +43% since 2020.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €182.3 million of products under CN code 22089054 (Tequila in containers holding <= 2 l) from outside the EU in 2025. | 182.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 22089054 were up 250% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€52.0 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +250 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 22089054 to countries outside the EU were worth €141.6 million in 2025. | 141.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 22089054 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €152.3 million in 2025. | 152.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Mexico was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 22089054 to the EU in 2025, with €171.1 million, or 94% of extra-EU imports. | 171.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 22089054 to the United States were €877 thousand in 2025. | 877 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 22089054 was €11.26 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 11.26 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Spain was the largest EU exporter of CN 22089054 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €40.9 million. | 40.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 9,000 enterprises in NACE class C1101 (Distilling, rectifying and blending of spirits) in 2022. | 9,000 enterprises | 2022 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1101 had net turnover of €25.92 billion in 2023. | 25.92 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1101 employed 50,340 people across the EU in 2021. | 50,340 persons employed | 2021 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,872 private establishments in NAICS 312140 (Distilleries) in 2025. | 1,872 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 312140 employed an average of 25,949 people in US private industry in 2025. | 25,949 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 312140 changed by +43% between 2020 (18,148 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +43 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 312140 was $75,989 in 2025. | 75,989 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 22089054, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 182261541
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 22089054, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 52026922; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 182261541
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 22089054, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 141569869
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 22089054, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 152323489
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 22089054, partner MX, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 171130842
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 22089054, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 877068
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 22089054, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 182261541, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 161925
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter ES, product 22089054, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 40886546
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1101, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2022, 9000
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1101, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 25920
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1101, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2021, 50340
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 312140, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 312140, annual_avg_estabs 1872
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 312140, annual_avg_emplvl 25949
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 18148; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 25949
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 312140, avg_annual_pay 75989
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Liquor retailers
- Bars and restaurants
- Distributors
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU agave spirits market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €182.3 million of goods under CN 22089054 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €141.6 million.
Where does the EU import agave spirits from?
Mexico was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, United Kingdom, Argentina.
What is the average import price of agave spirits in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €11.26 per kilogram for CN 22089054 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most agave spirits?
Spain led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Netherlands.
How many US companies are in the agave spirits industry?
BLS counts 1,872 private establishments in NAICS 312140 (Distilleries), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the agave spirits industry?
Eurostat counts 9,000 enterprises in NACE class C1101 (Distilling, rectifying and blending of spirits).
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline