Sal de Maras Earns Peru's First Geographical Indication Certification

By Espinosa Bellido Abogados

The Sal de Maras, a millennia-old treasure, becomes the first geographical indication of Peru. 

In a historic ceremony held at the iconic salt flats of Maras in Cusco, the National Institute for the Defense of Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (Indecopi) of Peru awarded the certificate recognizing Sal de Maras as Peru's first geographical indication (GI), ensuring its authenticity and quality in both national and international markets. 

This distinction will directly benefit 633 producing families in the Maras district of Urubamba.
Indecopi President Alberto Villanueva Eslava highlighted that this recognition for Sal de Maras marks a milestone in promoting its origin, quality, and authenticity. "For centuries, the salt flats of Maras have witnessed the efforts of generations who, using traditional methods, extract a salt unique in flavor and beneficial for health," he stated.

The ceremony brought together prominent authorities, including the Swiss ambassador to Peru, Paul Garnier; the global director of Swiss Economic Cooperation, Dominique Paravicini; the director of SECO in Peru, Massimo Bloch; and the president of Marasal, Edwin Pizarro, who emphasized the economic and cultural importance of this product for the region.

This recognition was made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of Indecopi, local producers, and the Peruvian-Swiss Intellectual Property Project – PESIPRO, phase 2. PESIPRO-II aims to strengthen the use of selected IPRs in Peru in order to contribute to higher competitiveness, help to boost the added value of Peruvian products, and to have an overall positive impact on Peruvian economic development.

Known for its exceptional mineral composition and unique flavor, Sal de Maras has conquered the global gourmet kitchen. With the geographical indication certification, producing families will be able to access new international markets, increasing the value of their product.

Maras is a charming town located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, near Cusco, Peru. It is world-famous for its historic Maras Salt Pans, a collection of thousands of small salt ponds that have been exploited since pre-Inca times.

The Maras Salt Pans are a complex system of salt terraces fed by an underground spring. Salty water evaporates in these ponds, leaving behind high-quality salt crystals. The inhabitants of Maras have used this traditional method of salt production for centuries, and today it is one of the main tourist attractions in the area.