The industry generates about 29,000 jobs directly and indirectly. Certified production in 2008 amounted to more than ; were exported, generating 21 million dollars in income. To truly be called mezcal, the liquor must come from certain areas. States that have certified mezcal agave growing areas with production facilities are Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, Puebla, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. About 30 species of agave are certified for use in the production of mezcal. Oaxaca has 570 of the 625 mezcal production facilities in Mexico, but some in-demand mezcals come from Guerrero, as well. In Tamaulipas, 11 municipalities have received authorization to produce authentic mezcal with the hopes of competing for a piece of both the Mexican national and international markets. The agave used here is agave Americano, agave verde or maguey de la Sierra, which are native to the state.
The InduStrY generateS AbouT 29,000 joBs dIrectly and indireCtLy. cErtIFied pRoducTIon iN 2008 AmouNted to more thAn ; werE eXpORTED, generatiNg 21 Million dOlLars iN iNcome. To TRuLy Be calLed Mezcal, tHE liquOr MusT come from CerTAin aReAs. stAtes that haVe CertIFiEd MezCal agave GRowINg arEAs WiTh pRoductIon FaCilItiES arE DUranGo, gUaNaJuatO, guerRero, oaxacA, san lUis Potosí, puEbLa, MIcHoACaN, tamAuliPas, and ZAcaTEcas. aBOUt 30 SpecieS of AGaVE aRE certified fOR use in The proDUctioN of MeZcal. oaxaca has 570 oF The 625 Mezcal PROductIon FACilities In meXicO, buT Some in-deManD meZCAlS come fRom GueRRero, as well. IN TamauLIpAs, 11 mUnICIpAlities haVe RecEived auThorIZatiOn TO prODuce autheNtic MEzcal wiTh the Hopes Of competing fOr A Piece OF botH thE MExICAN NAtionAL AnD inteRnaTiOnAl markeTS. thE aGave uSED here is Agave AmeRIcano, aGAve VerDe or maGuey de lA sierrA, wHich Are NaTIVe tO the sTatE.