Reactivation of the Cacao de Carenero Geographical Indication Council

By E.C.V. & Asociados

The Cacao de Carenero Geographical Indication Council, which had been inactive, has been reconstituted. This is a significant step forward in the efforts to protect and promote this unique Venezuelan cacao.

Following the reconstitution of the Council, five Authorization of Use requests were received from Cacao de Carenero producers. These requests were duly approved by the newly appointed authorities and forwarded to the Autonomous Intellectual Property Service (SAPI) for publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin.

In a meeting held at the SAPI headquarters, the regulatory authorities and the producers of the Regulatory Council were provided with information about Protected Geographical Indications (PGI), their benefits, the rights they confer, the role of the Regulatory Council, and the Usage Regulations.

An IGP is a distinctive sign that identifies a product as originating from a specific geographical territory when a certain quality, reputation, or other characteristic is essentially attributable to that geographical origin. In the case of Cacao de Carenero, the unique characteristics of this cacao are derived from the specific soil, climate, and traditional production methods of the Carenero region.

Venezuela currently has five granted IGPs: Cacao de Carenero, Cocuy Larense, Cacao Caripito, Café de Boconó, and Cacao de Choroní. The SAPI is working to support the development of additional IGPs in Venezuela.