Apr. 20, 2021
As Cinco de Mayo fast approaches, consumers tend to seek out products distilled from the agave plant, but for business owners, only thinking of these products for seasonal promotions could be leaving money on the table. Agave-based products are leading the charge as the fastest-growing products in many categories, with no signs of slowing down after the sixth of May.
Here are the details you need to know about the various products distilled from this wonderful plant. We’ll kick things off with premium tequila.
High-End Tequila
Led by a shelter-at-home-driven interest in DIY cocktails and mixology, consumers have been exploring agave spirits, and the premium tier of tequilas has benefited greatly from this trend.
Here are three reasons high-end tequilas can net your business big profits in 2021 and beyond.
1) According to The Drizly 2020 BevAlc Retail Report, tequila was the top-trending category for retailers, and that trend looks to continue this year.
2) Tequila is the second fastest-growing spirit over the past five years, and has surpassed bourbon as the spirit businesses expect to take up the most shelf space in the coming years.*
3) According to Fortune Business Insights, tequila sales are projected to surpass $14.7 billion by 2028, primarily fueled by the premium and ultra-premium segments.
Mezcal
No celebration of agave would be complete without a look at mezcal. Like the plant that fuels it, interest in mezcal continues to blossom. Here are three things you need to know to guide your customers’ mezcal journey.
1) Tequila vs. Mezcal: What’s the difference? While steaming agave inside industrial ovens before distillation produces tequila, cooking agave in earthen pits lined with lava rocks, wood, and charcoal brings us mezcal.
2) Mezcal products are primarily segmented into mezcal joven, mezcal reposado, and mezcal añejo, along with a few other flavors. The mezcal joven segment enjoys the most popularity, with the largest market share in 2019.*
3) The mezcal market is poised to keep growing. The Drizly 2020 Bevalc Retail Report showed a 57% rise in mezcal share in 2020. In even better news, the mezcal market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.1% between now and 2027.*
Ready-to-Drink
The ready-to-drink category has been on an unstoppable path of success in recent years. Agave-based RTDs are rolling out and capturing your customers’ attention. Here are three things you need to know to capitalize on this trend.
1) The RTD spirits category grew by 142% in 2020 and is predicted to be worth an estimated $1.2 billion this year.*
2) Ready-to-drink agave-based cocktails give health-conscious consumers an entry point. High-quality ingredients and well-crafted flavors attract customers curious about unique and exotic beverages that boast lower ABV than traditional tequila cocktails.
3) Although RTDs were trending before the events of 2020 impacted buying behaviors, the versatility and high quality of agave-based prepared cocktails drove demand even higher during lockdown. Those shopping habits aren’t changing in 2021, as agave-based RTDs attract customers who want their favorite mixed drinks at home without breaking out the blender, and they are a popular add-on to curbside pickup or to-go orders.
Connect with us today to explore our premium tequilas, mezcals, and agave-based RTDs that can help you capitalize on this trend.