BRAZILIAN GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS AND AGROINDUSTRIAL AND/OR AGRICULTURAL IMPACTS

Geographical Indications (GIs) are legal signs which identify a product as originating from a specific country or region, where the reputation of the product is attributable to its geographical roots. In this context, this study deals on the evolution of the granting of IG in Brazil, and its impact on the agricultural and/or agro-industrial sectors. The country has operated with a GI system since 1999, and currently has 30 GIs granted. These, 83.3% are residents, 66.7% are agricultural products and/or agro-industrials, and majority is of Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais States products. Total Brazilian's GIs, 72% were granted between July 2012 and April/2011, indicating that national promotion and dissemination of culture intellectual property are becoming more effective. Despite the wide territoriality and potential Brazilian agro-industrials and craft products, only 12 States (44.4%) have granted GIs. The results show that a GI can change the image of the product, leading to increased production and quality stimulation, and be used as an effective policy to cope with trade liberalization. However, the success of this strategy also depends on the research of proving the identity and reputation associated with quality products.