Venezuelan cocoa bean produced in the state of Monogas, "Cacao de Caripito" has been declared a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).
This decision was announced by the Venezuelan Intellectual Property Office (SAPI) in November last year. Caripito cocoa now joins "Cocuy Larense" as a PGI.
The protection is being given to the high quality of cocoa beans being produced in the areas, with geographic and climatic factors that aid to the high quality of the produce. The planting, harvesting and post-harvesting process also promote the quality of the cocoa.
The granting of this PGI will prove highly advantageous to the procedure of granting PGIs in Venezuela. This formal procedure is a mark of progress as it allows for the filling of legal gaps caused by legislative delay in updating regulatory framework.
This move to protect and strengthen the country’s intellectual property is also going to aid in the economic growth and have a positive impact on the GDP especially after the country formally withdrew from the Andean Community and after it was formally suspended from the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR).
An application is also in place for the declaration of Café Bocono as a PGI, if it is granted it will become the third PGI to be recently granted in Venezuela.
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