Scotch whisky has become the first international product to receive protected geographical indication (GI) status in Argentina.
The GI status, an intellectual property right, is used on products with qualities linked to a specific geographical origin.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Other examples include Welsh Lamb and Melton Mowbray Pork Pies.
In a statement, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the GI tag is a legal safeguard that guarantees products branded as Scotch whisky are “genuine and meet strict production standards”, and allow authorities to “tackle counterfeit products”.
Defra added the development underscores the “increasing global demand for authentic British products overseas”.
Defra said the achievement follows six years of efforts with the UK Department for Business and Trade and industry associations.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataA spokesperson for the Scotch Whisky Association noted the development was “a product of many years’ work by the SWA and our counterparts in the market”.
They added: “However, there remain significant economic challenges in other larger markets – not least here in the UK, and in our biggest market, the US.
“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.”
In 2024, GI products constituted about 25% of the UK food and drink exports, valued at over £6bn ($8.2bn) annually, according to Defra.
In December, 39 British food and drinks products gained protected status in Japan. Last August, Scotch also received GI status in Brazil.
At the time, the government said the decision in Brazil could generate £25m for the industry over the next five years.
Apart from combating counterfeit products, it would boost global recognition £and and intellectual property” for Scotch in Brazil’s market.
In May, India and the UK signed a trade deal reducing tariffs on whisky, gin and soft drinks entering India.
Whisky and gin tariffs will be halved to 75% from 150%, eventually falling to 40% by “year ten” of the deal.
India remains the largest export market by volume for Scotch whisky, with over 192 million bottles exported in 2024, a 14.6% increase from the previous year.
In terms of value, India ranked fifth for Scotch whisky exports in 2024, with £248m worth of exports sent there last year, up 13.8% on 2023.
In 2024, global exports of Scotch whisky declined in value but an increase in volume.
Exports by value reached £5.4bn, marking a 3.7% decrease from 2023, according to the data released by Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) in February.
The Asia-Pacific region was the largest market by value for Scotch exports, amounting to £1.57bn, with notable growth in India and Japan.
