Scotch whisky has become the first foreign product in five years to be given denomination of origin status in Brazil, enabling producers to export to South America's largest economy with greater confidence.
The new status, granted in June during the UK's pre-election period and announced on 21 August, means the Brazilian legal system now recognises Scotch whisky's protections under the UK's geographical indication (GI) scheme, making it easier to prevent counterfeits and imitations from being sold on the Brazilian market.
"As the first foreign product to be granted denomination of origin status in Brazil since 2019, Scotch whisky now sits beside Tequila, Cognac and Champagne with special legal protection," says Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association.
"This is fundamental to ensure that millions of Brazilians can have confidence in the quality and history of what they're buying."
"Scotch whisky is one of Scotland's finest products and is in high demand across the globe,” adds Jonathan Reynolds, the UK's trade and business secretary. "[This agreement] gives Scottish distillers the confidence they need to export to one of the world's largest economies without having to compete with fake knock-offs and pale imitations."
According to UK government calculations, the move could add as much as £25mn to Scotch whisky exports to Brazil, which reached almost £90mn in 2023.
"Businesses who export more are better off, and removing trade barriers like this will unlock more global markets and drive economic growth across the UK," says Reynolds.
Guaranteeing authenticity
The UK's GI scheme is used to guarantee the authenticity, characteristics and origin of a wide range of British food and drink. International sales of GI goods are worth over £6bn to the UK and make up around a quarter of country's total food and drink exports.
As well as Scotch whisky – which can only be produced in Scotland and has to be matured in oak casks for at least three years – the scheme also covers products like Melton Mowbray pork pies and Welsh lamb.
The move by Brazil marks the latest international win for iconic British food and drink, and comes just months after 37 GIs gained special protected status in Japan as part of a deal reached under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.