Scotch makes history as first international GI in Argentina
Scotch whisky has become the first international product to gain legal protection in Argentina with a geographical indication (GI).
Argentina gave Scotch whisky its seal of approval this week. The Scottish spirit was named as the first ever non-domestic product to receive GI status in the country, much to the delight of whisky producers in the UK.
The new protection ensures products labelled as Scotch whisky are genuine and meet strict production standards. The move will help tackle counterfeit products which, until now, have not been prohibited from labelling themselves as Scotch in Argentina.
UK Trade Minister Douglas Alexander said of the announcement: “Scotch Whisky is the first foreign product to receive special protection in Argentina which is testament to not only the strength of our trade ties with Argentina, but the prestige and reach of Scotland’s world-renowned product.”
A spokesperson for the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) said: “The legal protection in place for Scotch whisky in Argentina is a product of many years’ work by the SWA and our counterparts in the market.”
The new GI marks another successful step for the spirit internationally. Scotch producers have had much reason to celebrate this year, thanks to the UK signing its long-awaited free trade agreement with India.
India’s tariff on scotch and gin will be halved to 75% from the present 150% before falling to 40% by the tenth year of the deal.
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Mark Kent, the chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said it was “a once-in-a-generation deal and a landmark moment for Scotch whisky exports to the world’s largest whisky market”.
He added: “The reduction of the current 150% tariff on scotch whisky will be transformational for the industry and has the potential to increase scotch whisky exports to India by £1bn over the next five years, creating 1,200 jobs across the UK.”
Alexander continued: “This is another win for an industry already bolstered by our deal with India which slashes whisky tariffs by half immediately and then down even further in the years to come, demonstrating our action to boost Scotland’s businesses and delivering economic growth under the Plan for Change.”
British food and drink exports reached record levels in 2024, with GI products accounting for approximately 25% of all UK food and drink exports and an estimated annual value exceeding £6 billion.
However, it’s not all sunshine and roses for Scotch whisky, as the SWA’s spokesperson warned. “There remain significant economic challenges in other larger markets – not least here in the UK, and in our biggest market, the US,” they said.
“With a 14% increase to spirits duty in two years, excessive EPR fees for glass, and the industry excluded from the Industrial Strategy, Scotch whisky producers want to see the UK government take more concerted action to reduce the tax and regulatory burden in our home market.”
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