Ethanol to lead to tequila shortage?

Wed30May2007

Ethanol to lead to tequila shortage?

17:17 H | Topics: Environment - Lifestyle - Mexico

While some have criticized a boom in ethanol production might lead to deforestation in Brazil, it might have yet another ugly effect on a country a little closer to home: Mexico. Please say it ain't so:

Mexican farmers are setting ablaze fields of blue agave, the cactus-like plant used to make the fiery spirit tequila, and resowing the land with corn as soaring U.S. ethanol demand pushes up prices.

The switch to corn will contribute to an expected scarcity of agave in coming years, with officials predicting that farmers will plant between 25 percent and 35 percent less agave this year to turn the land over to corn.

According to Reuters, the abundance of Mexico's beloved agave led to an oversupply of tequila and agave prices so low it wasn't worth it to farmers to stick with the plant. As the demand for ethanol increases, corn prices soar, so it's bye-bye agave. Get ready to pay $50 a bottle for some crappy Cuervo.

Via / MSNBC

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