The European Commission has released a new study on products under Geographical Indication status. The research has been based on 3.207 products with protected names across EU Member States at the end of 2017 (by the end of March 2020 the total number increased to 3.322).

According to the study, the sales of GI-protected food and drink products are worth €74.76 billion and each product with a protected name has an average double value than a similar product without a certification. Producers can clearly benefit, in terms of marketing and increase of sales, from the high quality and reputation of these products, as well as from the consumers’ willingness to pay more for authentic products.

The research also shows that GIs represent 15.5% of the overall EU agri-food exports, mainly directed to the United States, China and Singapore. Wine remains the most important product both in terms of total sales value (51%) and extra-EU trade (50%).

Europe benefits from a system of intellectual property rights to protect its products against imitation and misuse and promote their unique characteristics, related to the geographical origin and the know-how from the regions. Agri-food products and wines are protected as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), while spirit drinks as Geographical Indications (GI). EU also protects Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG), emphasising the traditional aspects of a product without being connected to a specific geographical area. The study unveils that the sales value of TSG products is worth €2.3 billion.

From 4 November 2019 to 3 February 2020 the European Commission also launched a Public Consultation to gather feedback from stakeholders on such EU quality policy. The factual summary report shows that the majority of respondents consider the EU quality scheme as a benefit, both for producers and consumers.