After nearly two years of filing dossiers to register for protection of three Vietnamese geographical indications (regarding Luc Ngan lychees, Binh Thuan dragon fruit and Buon Ma Thuot coffee) in Japan, Luc Ngan lychees became the first to have its GI in the island nation, on March 12, 2021.
This is the result of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on GIs between Vietnam and Japan by the National Office of Intellectual Property - NOIP (Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam) and the Food Industry Affairs Bureau - FIAB (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan).
After Luc Ngan lychee obtained a GI registration certificate from the NOIP in 2008, the value of Vietnamese lychee has increased and the fruit’s export market has been expanded as well, including in Japan. However, Vietnam’s export lychees suffered disadvantages as they had to bear the name of the supply units on the Japanese side during the consumption process. Therefore, by successfully acquiring GI protection in Japan, from now on, Luc Ngan lychee will bear a GI of “Luc Ngan lychee” on the products exported to Japan, leading to higher added value and greater opportunities to be trusted and chosen by consumers.
Source: en.nhandan.org.vn
Photo source: Mard.gov.vn
