Scotch whisky secures protected status in Brazil

Under this new protection, the Brazilian legal system now recognises the special status of Scotch whisky, improving efforts to tackle counterfeits and protecting exports of the spirit to the country.

Strong collaboration between the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) – including the agrifood attaché in Brazil – the depart for Business and Trade and the UK’s Intellectual Property Office were credited for their work in securing protections for the spirit.

According to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), this new status could be worth around £25m over five years and will give distillers better access to South America’s largest economy, strengthening international recognition and intellectual property for Scotch Whisky.

Confidence in Scotch whisky

Mark Kent, chief executive at the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “As the first foreign product to be granted Denomination of Origin status in Brazil since 2019, Scotch Whisky now sits beside Tequila, Cognac and Champagne with special legal protection. This is fundamental to ensure that millions of Brazilians can have confidence in the quality and history of what they're buying. ​

“Achieving this status is 'Brand Scotland' in action. Removing trade barriers and securing legal protections for Scotch Whisky is critical to the industry's success, helping to increase exports and in turn creating more jobs, investment and prosperity in Scotland and across the UK.”​

Brazil is reportedly one of the top five global growth markets for alcohol over the next five years, with the UK exporting almost £90 million of the spirit to the country in 2023 alone.

Global export figures from the SWA found the value of Scotch exports topped £5.6bn in 2023. The equivalent of 1.35bn 70cl bottles of Scotch Whisky were exported last year, equating to 43 per second.

Competing with knock-offs

Business and Trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds added: “Scotch Whisky is one of Scotland’s finest products and is in high demand across the globe. This Government is committed to maximising Scotland’s potential, and today’s announcement gives Scottish distillers the confidence they need to export to one of the world’s largest economies without having to compete with fake knock-offs and pale imitations.   ​

“Businesses who export more are better off, and removing trade barriers like this will unlock more global markets and drive economic growth across the UK.”​

The UK Intellectual Property Office will continue to work with UK exporters in-country to increase their knowledge and confidence of the Brazilian IP system.

Meanwhile, export sales of Scottish salmon have jumped 41% in the first half of 2024,​​ thanks to increased demand from the US and Asia.