Under the trade agreement between the EU and Colombia, which provides for the recognition and protection of geographical indications, nine new Colombian geographical indications (GIs) are now recognised in the EU, since 13 December 2018. These products include Colombian coffees, flowers, cheese and a biscuit. Those will join the “Café de Colombia” and the fruit "Cholupa del Huila", both Colombian GIs already protected in the EU.
These GIs were recognised following confirmation of their unique characteristics in relation to their geographical origin and traditional know-how, publication for opposition, and leading to the official recognition.
The Colombian GIs, now protected, include “Café de Nariño” – a coffee from the Nariño area, which grows at particularly high altitude (between 1,300 and 2,300 metres above sea level) and results in a distinctive taste -, “Queso Paipa” – a semi-hard cheese made from cow milk and exclusively produced in the towns of Paipa and Sotaquira, “Café de Cauca”, “Café del Huila”, “Bizcocho de Achira del Huila”, “Queso del Caquetá”. In addition, among the most exported Colombian cut flowers, “Clavel de Colombia”, “Rosa de Colombia” and “Crisantemo de Colombia” are also part of the nine GIs recognised and protected by the EU.
Additionally, there are 116 European GIs recognised and protected in Colombia. These include a variety of EU products such as cheese and agricultural products, wine and spirits.
The EU remains Colombia’s second trading partner after the US, with in 2017 bilateral trade amounting to €11.6 billion. Colombia is a key partner for the European Union in Latin America. The EU's relations with Colombia are based on political dialogue, trade cooperation and joint efforts to achieve sustainable development and support to peace building.
For more information:
eeas.europa.eu