EU-Mercosur Agreement enhances products with Geographical Indication
The agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, which has been in force provisionally since May 1st, should increase the protection and international visibility of Brazilian products with GI (Geographical Indication), according to sector experts.
The assessment is that the treaty opens up space to strengthen the competitiveness of items linked to territorial identity, such as coffee, cheese, honey, wines and cachaça.
Geographical Indications are mechanisms that recognize products whose reputation, quality or characteristics are associated with their region of origin. With the agreement, Brazilian producers can gain greater legal protection abroad, making it difficult for foreign manufacturers to misuse names of origin.
According to Inpi (National Institute of Industrial Property), Brazil reached 150 recognized national Geographical Indications by December 2025. Of this total, 119 are Indications of Origin (IP) and 31 are Denominations of Origin (DO). Also considering foreign registrations recognized in the country, the total reaches 161 GIs registered in Brazil.
According to Rafael Mafra, coordinator of Negotiation Strategy at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), the agreement represents an important step forward in the valorization of authentic Brazilian products on the international market.
"The Mercosur-European Union Agreement extends protection to genuine Brazilian products protected by Geographical Indication. High-value products, such as coffee, cheese and cachaça, cannot have their names misused", he stated.
Despite this, he emphasizes that effective access to the European market still depends on technical and commercial factors, in addition to the organizational capacity of the producing territories themselves.
"The recognition of a GI in an agreement is an opportunity to add value and expand the market. But taking advantage of this opportunity depends on the consistent offering of a quality product", he said.
In addition to the European Union, Mercosur is also advancing in negotiations with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), a bloc formed by Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The expectation is that the agreement will also expand opportunities for certified Brazilian products in markets with high value for items of controlled origin.
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Daniel França, researcher at Inpi, believes that the agreement with the European bloc represents a milestone for the international recognition of Brazilian GIs. "From a political point of view, it encourages new recognition in Brazil and serves as a reference for future negotiations, such as with EFTA," he stated.
For the researcher, international negotiations have already produced internal consequences, including regulatory changes and new public policies aimed at promoting Geographical Indications. "The agreements not only produce external effects, but also impacts within the country", he added.
Kelly Lissandra Bruch, professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and specialist in GI, highlights that geographical indication brings value throughout the region. "With the seal, rural tourism is boosted, as well as local businesses, such as restaurants, hotels and new products driven by regional demands", he explained.
According to Nicole de Alencar, a lawyer specializing in Intellectual Property, Geographical Indication protects the link between the territory of origin, local know-how and the reputation built around a certain product or service over time.
"GI protects geographic origin and the standard associated with it, while brands allow each producer to build their own commercial positioning within that standard. This combination contributes to expanding legal protection and adding value in the long term", he stated.
Connection Terroirs
The topic will be debated during Connection Terroirs do Brasil 2026, an event promoted by Rossi & Zorzanello in partnership with Sebrae, which takes place between June 10th and 13th, in Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul.
The panel will bring together Mapa's Negotiation Strategy coordinator, Rafael Mafra; Inpi researcher, Daniel França; and UFRGS professor, Kelly Bruch.
The debate at Connection Terroirs do Brasil should discuss how the country can transform the international recognition of Geographical Indications into value generation, competitiveness and territorial development.
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Source: CNN