The Benefits and Barriers of Geographical Indications to bring Agricultural Products to The World Market

10:10:09 AM | 1/25/2024

The general trend of the current market always requires products to have clear origins and protected trademarks. Vietnam's signing and implementation of the Vietnam - European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has brought great opportunities to many Vietnamese businesses, as Vietnam's 39 geographical indications (mostly agricultural products) are automatically protected in the EU - an extremely important export market with 28 member countries. Therefore, Vietnam needs to have more products registered for geographical indication protection to take full advantage of the potential in this market and many other important markets.


Hanoi agricultural products

According to the National Office of Intellectual Property (IP), when protected by geographical indications, the value and reputation of many products increase significantly. For example, Meo Vac mint honey, after protecting geographical indications, controlling origin, quality, and promoting the product, has nearly doubled its price. Similarly, Phu Quoc fish sauce increased in price by 30 - 50%, Phuc Trach grapefruit increased by 30 - 35%, Vinh orange increased by more than 50% after receiving geographical indication protection... Some products are labeled with the indication. geographical indications have also been exported and protected as geographical indications abroad such as Binh Thuan dragon fruit, Luc Ngan lychee...

Hanoi city has built more than 40 agricultural product brands, such as: Dai Thanh late-ripening longan (Quoc Oai district), Boi Khe fragrant rice (Thanh Oai district), Van Nam banana (Phuc Tho district)... Products registered for collective, protected trademarks are available in supermarkets and shopping centers, and the selling price is 15-20% higher than unbranded products. Not only that, building collective marks and brands also helps cooperatives and farmers change production methods from traditional to closed chains, ensuring food safety. Director of the Department of Science and Hanoi Technology Nguyen Hong Son said that many agricultural products and traditional craft villages of Hanoi, after being protected, have added value and received the attention of foreign partners such as: Bamboo and rattan. Phu Nghia knitting; Ha Thai - Duyen Thai lacquer products; Thuong Tin hand-embroidered paintings; Phu Yen - Phu Xuyen leather shoes; Quoc Oai late-ripening longan; Yunnan banana…

​However, according to the assessment of the National Office of Intellectual Property, the protection and management of geographical indications still has difficulties that need to be resolved. Currently, there are not many processed products protected by geographical indications, mainly fruit products, accounting for 35% of the total number of protected geographical indications. Recently, protection for processed products has tended to increase, and needs to be promoted with mechanisms and solutions to support groups of business entities and key product groups, specific, local OCOP products create out intellectual property. The authorities need to periodically survey and evaluate the existing results and difficulties in the management, exploitation and development of intellectual property; Conduct research to identify key agricultural products and priority specialties for registration of intellectual property protection in the coming time.

On the other hand, management, inspection, and supervision of the use of geographical indications have not been carried out or are carried out irregularly, leading to acts of infringement of industrial property rights not being handled promptly, causing loss of reputation for products of entities that have been granted the right to use geographical indications. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance the role of state management in managing and controlling the origin and quality of protected products; Strengthen the capacity of professional staff, representatives of agencies, organizations and individuals directly managing and using geographical indications; enhance enforcement efficiency and combat intellectual property rights infringement.

From the perspective of local people and people directly producing and trading agricultural products, Ms. Cao Thi Thuy, Director of Doan Ket Agricultural Production and Business Cooperative, Ung Hoa district, said: Since 2018, the Cooperative has was allowed by the city to use the place name "Khu Chay" to register to protect the collective trademark "Khu Chay Quality Rice" for rice products in Ung Hoa district. However, to be granted a geographical indication for Khu Chay rice products, in addition to efforts and investment in pursuing registration as well as developing scientific research topics for the product, businesses need to receive applications. The functional position supports the implementation of many other procedures.

Regarding this issue, Mr. Ta Van Tuong, Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that registering geographical indication protection for Hanoi's agricultural products and specialties requires determination to "pursue" to the end. and with the participation of many different departments, branches and units such as the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Industry and Trade... Hanoi has many specialties with the potential to register for geographical indication protection both domestically and internationally. such as: Vong village green rice, Dien grapefruit, Mia Tien King chicken, Khu Chay rice... To protect and effectively manage Hanoi's agricultural product and specialty brands, in the coming time, the Capital's Agriculture sector will continue to coordinate with departments, branches and localities to build unique agricultural product brands of Hanoi associated with the One Commune One Product Program (OCOP). The City will support 100% of packaging and labeling costs for products with OCOP recognized brands. The Department will also continue to coordinate with relevant units to organize fairs to promote and introduce products recognized as collective trademarks to promote consumption in domestic and foreign markets...

In addition, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development continues to coordinate with competent agencies to promote propaganda and raise farmers' awareness of the importance and benefits of building brands and creating quality goods. Uniform digestion, meeting food safety requirements; Promote the construction of safe and sustainable food supply chain models associated with centralized planning areas combined with trade promotion, support in finding outlets for safe food, and support in building brands for specialty agricultural products..., further promoting the advantages that geographical indications bring.

By Minh Ngoc, Vietnam Business Forum