A Case Study of Santanera Destileria & Cerveceria

Background

Mexico has a notable reputation for holding the intellectual property rights for tequila. However, the drink's exponential popularity has placed agave plantations across the country under immense pressure, as farmers strive to meet the growing market demand. Agave, the plant from which tequila is made, has an extremely long agricultural cycle that takes between six and nine years to complete. As supply struggles to keep pace with demand, Mexico experienced an exacerbated shortage of the raw material needed for tequila production. The Washington Post reported in 2018 that agave prices had increased six-fold between 2016 and 2018. In correlation, 15,000 plants were estimated to be stolen in 2017 alone. Today, the price is at its highest point in history ($1.50 USD per kilo, compared to $0.25 USD in 2013). More than ever, this is the time to enhance security on the plantations.

That is what drove Pablo Lara, the owner of the first Agave brand in the world, Santanera, to find a solution to protect his plantations from thieves.

Simplifying Site Monitoring

The previous strategy of frequent site visits was becoming onerous, as Lara had to oversee 50 hectares of agave planted across 13 geographically dispersed areas. He searched online for solar-powered cameras with a mobile chip, given that the organic agave plantations were in remote locations. This search led him to the VOSKER cameras. Cameras such as the V150 were specifically designed for such scenarios, where establishing a Wi-Fi connection was unfeasible and a continuous power supply unreliable. The camera sustains itself for a remarkably extended period thanks to its integrated solar panels, which perform exceptionally well in open sites like the one described.

Results

Initially, Lara decided to install eight cameras across the territory where the risk was highest. The results of this strategy were immediate. The number of thefts reduced to zero! The camera proved to be an excellent deterrent, keeping potential thieves away. Lara now plans to install more cameras in the new plantations that are at risk of theft due to their maturity stage. Although he was initially sceptical about investing in a security camera, he is equally surprised and pleased with the outcome.

Santanera is an enterprise that is close to his heart. It was born out of his deep love for Mexico and a desire to honour his mother's Arandense heritage. The independent company revives the organic tequila that the industry ceased producing more than 30 years ago, and has an ambitious goal of benefiting both the producer and the end customer. However, this is not just business for him. Lara believes in honouring the environment that allows him to grow the agave, which is why protecting the plantations from vandalism or theft by malicious individuals was even more important.

We are honoured and grateful to be part of Santanera’s journey and will continue to help more people protect what they truly cherish.