Traditional food products and trade: exploring the linkages

Abstract

The objective of this working paper is to explore the linkages between traditional food production, geographical indications protection and trade, with a special focus on the opportunities that it represents for small-scale farming. For this, the following topics were covered: (i) the definition of traditional food production and its links with related concepts as food heritage and local production, (ii) market opportunities for traditional food products, considering evidence on consumers’ attitudes and preferences, (iii) the origins, evolution, and issues under debate related to the World Trade Organization framework on geographical indications, (iv) case studies on protection of geographical indications (European Union and Chile) and (v) potential consequences of traditional food production and trade development for small-scale farming and public support strategies.