EU Decision on Basmati GI Tag Expected Soon

18-Dec-2025 01:17 PM

Brussels. Although the European Union has reached the final stage of evaluating the applications submitted by India and Pakistan for a protected geographical indication (GI) tag for Basmati rice, and a decision on the matter is expected soon, the Federation of European Rice Millers is against granting a GI tag to Basmati rice.

If India also obtains the GI tag, it will gain exclusive rights to trade this long-grain, premium quality, aromatic rice in the EU market.

It is noteworthy that in a meeting held on July 7, 2025, the European Commission informed the Civil Dialogue Group that progress on the GI tag issue was slow. A decision is now expected soon.

The Commission stated that the arguments and factors supporting and opposing the Basmati rice GI tag would be seriously considered, and a fair and equitable decision would be made thereafter.

Although the Federation of European Rice Millers is strongly opposing the granting of a PGI tag for Basmati, as some of its members would be prevented from selling Basmati rice under their brand names if the GI tag is granted, it appears that the European Commission may disregard this opposition.

According to a leading analyst, this federation, along with Pakistan, is creating obstacles in the way of Indian Basmati rice receiving a GI tag in the European Union.

India has already lost its case in countries like Kenya and New Zealand, so it needs to present its case strongly in the European Union.