Introduction to Chihuahua’s Wine Industry
Chihuahua, a state in Mexico, is set to host the 2025 World Congress of Brussels on November 17 and 18. This prestigious event will gather around 100 international judges in the state capital, acting as a catalyst for “El Mes del Vino” (Wine Month) to promote the 53 vineyards and 12 urban wineries in Chihuahua.
Current State of Wine Production in Chihuahua
As of August 21, 126 Chihuahuan wine labels have registered to compete in the contest, showcasing the high quality of local production. Julio Chávez Ventura, Director of the Tourism Promotion Trust of Chihuahua, highlighted this fact to El Economista.
Approximately 70% of Chihuahua’s grape production is exported to other states in Mexico, with Casa Madero being a significant client. The remaining 30% is used for local bottle production, a growing segment with an annual growth rate of 2%. This sector aims to improve its price competitiveness against foreign wines, with support from the federal Secretaría de Economía (SE) and the Sistema Producto Vid cluster.
Challenges Faced by Local Producers
Out of the total vineyards, 45 are family-owned businesses, still small but attracting interest from larger corporations. These producers struggle to compete with foreign wines priced at 100 to 150 pesos per bottle. The Director of the Tourism Promotion Trust of Chihuahua acknowledged this challenge, stating that it affects the entire Mexican wine industry.
Impact of the World Congress of Brussels
The World Congress of Brussels serves as a massive promotional platform, equivalent to a 40-million-peso advertising investment, garnering attention from national and international media.
Tourism of Meetings in Chihuahua
Chihuahua aims to reach 500 million pesos in convention-generated economic impact by 2025, a record for the state and a significant leap from the 400 million pesos received in 2024.
At the recent IBTM fair in Mexico City, crucial for attracting international events to Chihuahua, the goal was to secure 60 meetings per municipality. This positive balance in the business agenda sets the stage for replicating last year’s success, having already secured approximately 25 events from IBTM.
The governor of Chihuahua recently approved land in Ciudad Juárez for a convention center. Combined with the soon-to-be-inaugurated Ciudad Cuauhtémoc center, Chihuahua will have enhanced infrastructure for large events.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the World Congress of Brussels? It’s an international wine competition that promotes Chihuahua’s wine industry and attracts media attention.
- How much of Chihuahua’s grape production is exported? Approximately 70% is exported to other Mexican states.
- What percentage of grape production is used for local bottle production? About 30% is used for local bottle production, a growing segment.
- What challenges do Chihuahua’s wine producers face? They struggle to compete with cheaper foreign wines.
- What is Chihuahua’s goal for convention-generated economic impact by 2025? The state aims to reach 500 million pesos, a record for Chihuahua.
- How many events did Chihuahua secure at the IBTM fair in 2023? Approximately 25 events were secured for 2025.
