Europe’s alcohol industry has welcomed a trade deal that will see Mexico protect 568 EU Geographical Indications (GIs) across alcoholic beverages and food.
The agreement, which was signed on Friday (22 May), will see products such as champagne, České pivo (Czech beer), Italy’s Chianti and Tokaji wine from Hungary secure protection, making it illegal to produce or sell imitations. Around 100 European spirits with GIs were previously protected, and this has been increased to 232, including Slovakian export Spišská borovička and Irish Cream liqueur.
Mexico has also agreed to remove “95% of tariffs” on imports from the EU under the arrangement, which was signed late last week at the eighth EU-Mexico Summit in Mexico City. In turn, the European Commission, the legislative arm of the European Union, will honour 20 Mexican spirit and food GIs, including tequila and agave-based peer raicilla.
Responding to the deal’s announcement, trade organisation SpiritsEurope said it “strongly welcomes” the signature of the ‘EU-Mexico Modernised Global Agreement’ and called for speedy ratification from both sides. “Mexico is the number one market in Latin America for EU spirits exports and a key partner for the future of our sector,” the association said.
“Since the EU-Mexico FTA first entered into force in 1999, EU spirits exports to Mexico have increased more than fivefold, growing from EUR22m (then-US$25.7m) to over EUR119m (US$138.5m) in 2025,” SpiritsEurope said.
“Today, Mexico represents a dynamic and growing market for a wide range of European spirits categories. In addition, the agreement will reinforce existing strong ties between the two regions, which are both significant spirits producers.”
