China Alcoholic Beverages: Tequila Geographical Indication Officially Recognized

China has officially recognized tequila’s geographical indication as of 3 Nov 2014. The announcement was publicized in AQSIQ’s Notice No. 116 of 2014.The application submitted by Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico under the recommendation of Mexican Institute of Industrial Property was accepted by AQSIQ subject to the “Geographical Indication Product Protection Regulation” in China.

Tequila, often honored as Mexico’s national treasure, was once restricted in China due to regulatory and hygienic issues. The ice between China and Mexico was broken during the Chinese President’s visit to Mexico last June. Since then Chinese authorities have made specific regulations for tequila so that tequila products of high quality and high purity could be available to Chinese consumers.

Data shows that in 2013 there were 525,000 liters of tequila imported to China representing a 28% annual increase. However, the ambitions of Mexican exporters exceed current growth rates. Their government intends for China to become the second largest tequila consumer after the US and has set an export goal of 10,000,000 by 2019. Industry insiders back in Mexico believe that China is a promising market even though the current consumption is still low.