The UAE Strengthens International Protection for Tequila

Before the close of 2025, the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) confirmed that the United Arab Emirates has officially joined the growing list of nations recognizing and protecting Tequila, Mexico’s first Denomination of Origin. With this milestone, the Mexican spirit now holds international protection in 58 countries.

The recognition carries particular weight given the UAE’s legal framework, which does not permit the registration of alcoholic beverages. Protection was therefore granted under Class 42 — covering services related to analysis, quality control, and authentication — conferring upon the CRT the exclusive authority to certify Tequila within the country.

According to figures from the regulatory body, the UAE imported more than one million liters of Tequila at 40% ABV in 2024 — a volume that has held at comparable levels throughout 2025. The country, comprising seven emirates including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, is consolidating its position as a strategic market for Tequila’s expansion across the Middle East.

Efforts to secure this recognition began in 2021 and have been complemented by initiatives undertaken in 2025, including professional education programs on Tequila culture and physical monitoring at points of sale. The agreement strengthens the defense of Tequila as Mexican heritage and reinforces its authenticity and prestige on the global stage.