Honey from Ñeembucú - Paraguay’s First Ever Registered Geographical Indication, Achieved with EUIPO Support

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) proudly celebrates the historic recognition of Honey from Ñeembucú as the first ever registered geographical indication (GI) in Paraguay. This landmark achievement was made possible through the dedicated efforts of local honey producers, national authorities, and the guidance provided by the EU-funded project AL-INVEST Verde IPR, implemented by the EUIPO, under its mentorship programme, AL-INVmentor.

On 29 July 2025, Paraguay officially granted GI protection to Honey from Ñeembucú, recognising the exceptional quality and unique characteristics of this origin-linked honey, which result from the diverse native flora and traditional beekeeping practices of the Ñeembucú department in southern Paraguay. The GI status protects the identity of the product and affirms its deep connection to local ecosystems and ancestral knowledge.

This milestone represents a major step for Paraguay’s agri-food sector and a significant outcome of the AL-INVmentor initiative in Latin America, implemented by the EUIPO. Through this initiative, producers of Honey from Ñeembucú received tailored technical support in defining product specifications to support the GI application process, developing governance and control systems, and building a collective strategy for sustainable growth rooted in intellectual property rights.

The honey’s GI registration followed months of collaborative work between local beekeepers, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) and the National Directorate of Intellectual Property (DINAPI) of Paraguay, and regional development institutions. The mentorship programme strengthened producers’ understanding of GIs as a tool to add value to their product, secure market differentiation, and reinforce environmental and social sustainability.

Honey from Ñeembucú is characterised by its light amber color, floral and citrus aroma, and delicate taste—attributes shaped by the region’s native pastures and wetlands. Its traditional, low-impact production methods align with biodiversity preservation and offer a compelling model for sustainable rural development.

This first Paraguayan GI is a testament to the power of collaborative efforts and marks a new chapter for quality-labelled products in the country. The registration of Honey from Ñeembucú is a shining example of how targeted IP support can transform traditional knowledge into enduring value for communities and markets alike.

By achieving GI recognition, the honey producers not only gained legal protection and enhanced market positioning but it also contributed to the cultural and economic resilience of the Ñeembucú region. The GI registration is accompanied by the establishment of a recreational ‘honey trail’ to attract tourism to this honey producing region, reinforcing the EU’s ongoing commitment to sustainable trade, innovation, and inclusive local development.

As the EU’s designated authority for GI cooperation and international IP dialogue, the EUIPO brings decades of expertise to the global promotion of origin-linked products. Additionally, in the field of craft and industrial GIs, the EUIPO will manage the registration of GIs from 1 December 2025 on.

For more information about agricultural GIs managed by the European Commission and craft and industrial GIs managed by the EUIPO, see: https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/gi-hub.