MEXICO CITY, Oct 24 (Reuters) -

Mexican distiller Becle, the world's largest

tequila maker, now sees lower net sales and capex this year than

it forecast earlier this year, its chief financial officer said

on Thursday.

The Jose Cuervo maker's CFO Rodrigo de la Maza said in

an earnings call that Becle expects 2024 net sales growth in the

low single digits at a constant currency rate, with 2024 capex

landing between $130-150 million.

In February, Becle had forecast capex between $160-180

million and net sales in the mid-single digits.

In a call with an analysts, Maza said the lower capex

was due to some spending being canceled due to unfavorable

market dynamics, while other "minor projects" had been canceled

because they were no longer needed this year.

Becle highlighted ongoing challenges from shifting

economic conditions and evolving consumer behaviors.

However, the company managed to more than quadruple its

net profit in the third quarter, it reported on Wednesday,

thanks in part to favorable foreign exchange-rate dynamics and

lower prices for agave, the prickly plant used as an ingredient

in tequila.