The rich Tequila region of Mexico is an example of the country’s success in developing lively export industries. But the industry also provides an unfortunate reminder of the risk export companies commonly violent crime and especially cargo trucks.
During a recent visit to the Pacific Coast State Jalisco, I saw the Tila Bonanza Firsthand of Mexico. I still stopped a small run by a company named Tequila Arata, as well as the huge distillery of Jose Quvero, the subscription of production led by $ 2.5 billion in revenue in 2024.
I took samples of delicious, smokey, amber-head tueli reposado and ANJO and run through a rowed fields with endless rows of long, pointed ago azul plants. I saw heavy trucks on the roads of the country, carrying goods on major highways of the state, towards the major ports of Mexico and to the US for exports.
Mexico’s Tequila Export is now a $ 3.2 billion-year industry. Mexico’s success as exporter is part of this reason Truck crossing from mexico In the US, in 1993, from just 1.8 million to three times, which increased to 5.9 million in 2024.
But every bottle of Tequila was sent out of Jalisco – including Uttam Jose Quvero’s de la Familia Extra Annejo, who was sample while living there – is now facing serious risk before reaching customers in the US and other markets. Unfortunately, Mexico’s export success story is being reduced by roadways security and constant problems with armed kidnappers.
In January, Police in Verakruz State in Eastern Mexico Recovered A truck that was stolen during transportation of $ 128,000 of Tequila. In December 2021, kidnappers in Jalisco state caught A truck carrying 30,000 liters of Tequila attacked the driver and stole the truck and cargo. In July 2020, gunman in Jalisco Used a truck Hijack the vehicle to block the road in front of a truck carrying a shipment of Tequila and steal the shipment. (Police later recovered trucks and goods).
These incidents constantly highlight a comprehensive problem in Mexico of violent crime and organize crime activity in many top states of the country.
As Mexico’s Private Security Industry Association, 15,937 cargo truck kidnapping took place in Mexico in 2024, from 2023 to 9 percent. Within the insurance industry, Mexico is widely considered the world’s worst hotspot for cargo truck kidnapping.
Reliance Partners (where I am Executive Vice President) compiles and analyzes the data published by the federal government of Mexico, Show The wholesale of these abduction occurs in the industrial area around Mexico City in Central Mexico, rather than border cities such as Tijuana and Syudad Juarez.
In 2024, there were food and drinks Most theft product In Cargo truck kidnapping in Mexico, accounting for approximately one third of all incidents.
The issue of kidnapping reflects widespread concerns affecting foreign companies in Mexico. In 2024, World Justice Project placed Mexico in 118th position Law indicatorAnd Mexico was listed in the world’s worst countries in the categories of corruption orders, safety and absence.
While homeside yoga has declined in recent years, Mexico remains among the most violent countries in the world. In 2024, six of the top 10 Most violent city Was in Mexico on Earth.
Shortly after assuming office in October 2024, President Claudia Shinbaum found The powerful CCE Business Chamber of the country to discuss plans to improve companies growing products on the roadways of Mexico.
In December, Shinbaum Announced The implementation of a strategy called Operation Balam and directed the National Guard of Mexico to work directly with private sector companies to help escort trucks in high -risk areas. More widely, Shinbam has promised to eliminate the organized crime groups of Mexico by focusing on improvement in police intelligence and investigative capacity.
Shinbaum still has more than just six months in its first year in the office. He has done a commendable job in working to interact with the Trump administration, trying to protect mexican exporters from punitive tariffs. I know that I have interacted with officials in Mexico that many top Tequila producers of Jalisco have bought extensive insurance policy to protect their goods as it has been taken to the US border.
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Mexico Tequila Industry is a success story that needs to be preserved. President Shinbam still needs to improve roadway security and to improve the rich tequila business of Mexico from highway robbers.
Mark Wicors is the Executive Vice President and Head of International Logistics Reliance Partners,
