Mexico’s Mezcal Industry Faces Challenges Amidst Crime

The aroma of roasted agave from traditional wood-fired ovens in the hills of Oaxaca signals success for the mezcal industry. In 2025, Mexico produced 7.7 million bottles of mezcal, a notable increase from 2015. Visits to distilleries in Santiago Matatlan reveal the meticulous journey each bottle takes from production in remote areas to North American markets.

The journey is perilous due to threats from violent criminal groups. Mexico ranks highest for violent cargo truck hijackings. Pathways from Oaxaca to central Mexico comprise the most dangerous routes. For instance, in September 2024, an armed robbery hijacked a Monte Alban mezcal shipment on the Mexico-Tuxpan highway. Another incident in July 2025 saw the theft of 9,000 bottles worth $1.3 million in Guanajuato. Similar attacks are part of a larger trend targeting easily resold food and beverage products in informal markets.

While Oaxaca isn’t currently a hijacking hotspot, risks increase during transit through states like Puebla and Guanajuato. Puebla, critical for U.S.-bound shipments, is deemed the most hazardous for cargo truck hijackings. Here, local authorities collaborate with criminals, hindering investigations—a pattern seen in surrounding areas near Mexico City.

Data from the Mexico Cargo Truck Hijacking Data Portal by Reliance Partners shows over 79 percent of hijackings in early 2026 occurred in Mexico State and Puebla, north of Oaxaca. Despite these threats, mezcal sales flourish in the U.S., with 20,000 trucks crossing from Mexico in 2025. The global market is projected to exceed $1 billion by the early 2030s. Oaxaca contributes around 90 percent of Mexico’s mezcal production, contrasting with tequila’s mass-scale operations.

Mezcal remains vital for Oaxaca, a state receiving only $5 million in foreign investment in 2025. Meanwhile, nearly $1 million worth of goods is lost daily to cargo theft in Mexico, affecting up to 50 trucks each day. In June, a protest by the Mexican Association of Transport Organizations highlighted highway robbery concerns.

Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president since late 2024, has reduced overall violence, yet faces criticism for slow investigations into political collusion with criminal groups. Governors from Sheinbaum’s Morena party, including those of Oaxaca, Puebla, and Mexico State, have been implicated in collaboration and protection of criminals.

The success of Mexico’s mezcal industry depends on ensuring safe transport from remote towns to international markets. A single hijacked truck poses a significant loss for artisanal producers. It is essential for authorities to address and dismantle hijacking networks to protect this vital industry.