Feasibility Research on Mutual Recognition of Geographical Indications for Agricultural Products between China and Russia

Abstract

While China and Russia are both major agricultural producers, their influence on the global agricultural industry still lags significantly behind EU countries. Considering the recent China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications (CEAGI) and the rapid current growth of China-Russia trade, it becomes crucial for China and Russia to discuss the mutual recognition of geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural products. The potential for cooperation in this area consists in promoting import and export trade of agricultural products between China and Russia, thus enhancing the competitiveness of these products in the international market. However, challenges in the mutual recognition of GIs arise due to imbalances in the trade of agricultural products, as well as differences in trading systems and current legislation on geographical indications. A feasible package arrangement could involve mutual recognition of some GIs for agricultural products based on existing Chinese and Russia multilateral trading systems.