Strengthening sustainable food systems through geographical indications
Origin-linked products can be part of a virtuous circle of sustainable quality based on the preservation of local resources and other factors described in the FAO-SINERGI guide “Linking people, places and products”. The potential developmental impact of origin-based products is based on their specific features, resulting from a unique combination of natural resources (such as climatic conditions, soil characteristics and local plant varieties), traditional local skills and knowledge, as well as historical and cultural practices. Geographical indications (GIs) are used for products that can be linked to their production origin. They are a collective marketing tool that can be used for both the protection and promotion of specific products, as well as a way to enhance the provision of public goods – such as food heritage, landscapes, traditional knowledge and the rural economy at large. Owing to their territorial basis, GI products promote the role of producers in the value chain and can therefore play an important role in the sustainable development of local communities. This territorial focus can also be effective in driving collective efforts towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Although the positive impacts of the most famous GIs – such as Champagne or Parmigiano reggiano – have been well demonstrated, there has been relatively little research conducted on the economic sustainability of GIs in general. The main objective of this study is to provide additional evidence regarding the economic impacts of GIs on value chains and producers. Case studies related to nine operational GIs have been developed in collaboration with universities, which collected and analyzed data using quantitative and qualitative methods. These case studies, spanning a variety of contexts, are: Colombian coffee, Darjeeling tea (India), Futog cabbage (Serbia), Kona coffee (United States), Manchego cheese (Spain), Penja pepper (Cameroon), Taliouine saffron (Morocco), Tête de Moine cheese (Switzerland) and Vale dos Vinhedos wine (Brazil). The analysis of these cases provides evidence of the positive economic impacts GIs have on price, production volumes and market access. The analysis also produced preliminary findings of the economic resilience GIs can provide, and the positive externalities of GIs on other sectors. Finally, the study points to a number of considerations in terms of success factors and trade-offs and proposes a roadmap to maximize economic impacts and optimize the contribution of GI processes to more sustainable food systems and sustainable development in general.
We hope that this publication will be of interest to all practitioners interested in GIs and local development, from policy-makers to value chain players, donors and researchers.
