Tequila lovers gird your loins! There is a serious agave shortage that will surely affect the supply of tequila as well as prices. It seems Mexico can't keep up with the world-wide demand for the popular beverage.
Interestingly the demand for tequila has risen over 6 times in only two years. Now with the agave supply so low and given the amount of time it takes for more plants to mature you can almost bet you're going to see higher prices.
The agave plants are grown in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The plants are typically allowed to grow for 7-8 years before harvest. The smaller growers are using plants younger, about 5 years old. Between the high demand, and this practice of using even the younger plants is depleting the supply even more quickly.
If you're a big-time tequila drinker you may want to stock up now before the prices go out of sight (or your favorite brand becomes unavailable).
Well, if push comes to shove you can always use a tequila alternative in your margarita. For white tequila you can substitute white rum, or, for gold tequila try using dark rum.
You may also substitute a Brazilian drink called cachaca. I haven't tried it but I'd think you could use Pisco for your margarita too. We typically recommend using Pisco in place off tequila.
Full Story: Reuters>>