MEXICO CITY, Oct 22 (Reuters) -

Mexico's Becle, the world's largest tequila

producer, on Wednesday posted a nearly fivefold jump in its

third quarter profit, surpassing forecasts, as sales surged in

all regions barring the U.S. and Canada.

Becle, which makes the bulk of its income from Jose

Cuervo family tequilas as well as a range of mezcals, vodkas,

gins and whiskeys, said in a statement it had delivered solid

results and further strengthened its financial position,

"despite continued volatility in the global spirits industry."

Profits for July through September hit 4.13 billion

pesos ($225 million), well above the 1.27 billion forecast of

analysts polled by LSEG, from revenues that held steady at 10.92

billion - broadly in line with analysts' 10.95 billion estimate.

Profits were helped by a stronger peso that helped reduce

its dollar-denominated debt exposure.

While Becle shot up the volumes it sold across Mexico

and most of its international markets by close to 20% compared

to a year earlier, volumes declined 6% in the United States and

Canada - where it typically makes around 60% of sales.

Mexico's spirits sector, which relies heavily on exports

to the United States, has been rattled this year by a series of

tariff threats from Washington, hitting small-scale distillers

the hardest.

Most industries in Latin America's No. 2 economy have

nevertheless been spared the brunt of U.S. tariffs thanks to a

free trade pact between the three countries, but this is up for

review next year.

Last year, U.S. imported $5.3 billion of tequila,

according to the U.S. Distilled Spirits Council, up more than

14% in a year and surpassing all its whiskey, gin, rum, brandy

and vodka imports combined.

($1 = 18.3147 Mexican pesos at end-September)