Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt pushes for global recognition of unique agricultural products
Rome—Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture, Alaa Farouk, emphasized the vital role of geographic indications (GIs) in preserving agricultural heritage and ensuring product quality during a session on GIs at the 6th Conference of EU and African Agriculture Ministers in Rome.
Farouk noted that GIs are not merely marketing tools or trademarks but represent cultural identity, heritage, and quality. He highlighted Egypt’s efforts to protect unique local products by registering figs, grapes, and olives from Matrouh Governorate as geographic indications, in cooperation with the European Union.
The minister also underscored the importance of raising public awareness about GIs, expanding their registration to more regions and products, and designing pharaonic-inspired branding for Egyptian goods to boost exports. He welcomed ongoing cooperation with France and Italy in this area, describing it as a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange and capacity building.
Farouk reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to strengthening agricultural cooperation between Africa and Europe, protecting rural communities, and safeguarding cultural heritage through sustainable tools like geographic indications.