The skills developed to certify the first two Geographical Indications of the Republic of Mauritius are largely Italian.With the support of CSQA , the famous African islands have been able to certify Mauritius Rum and Mauritius Unrefined Sugar at a national level, embracing the concept of Geographical Indications of which Italy is a global leader.
Thanks to the project “Technical Assistance on Geographical Indication for the Republic of Mauritius” , funded by the European Union and coordinated by Dr. Giovanni Galanti of Emerging Market International, CSQA was able to bring the know-how of the Italian model to promote the growth of two strategic supply chains of the African country in terms of quality and safety , contributing to their diffusion throughout the world.
Among the main actions carried out by CSQA , first of all, a training activity for the ministerial officials of Mauritius on the tools, processes, bodies and rules of the European Geographical Indications model, and in particular the Italian one; secondly, the preparation of specific control plans for the two Geographical Indications; and finally, the inspection activity at the sugar processing mills and rum distilleries.
A process that led to the certification of the two excellences at the end of December 2024 .
“We are proud” – says Maria Chiara Ferrarese, General Manager of CSQA – “to have been chosen as a competent and reliable partner on the issues of GI control and product valorization. It was important to share our know-how with the Institutions of the Republic of Mauritius, starting a process of knowledge transfer aimed at aligning the control system of Extra EU GIs with the EU system”.
Mauritius Rum and Mauritius Unrefined Sugar represent two historic products of the agri-food sector of Mauritius, whose geographical area is defined by 1865 km² of the country's mainland.
Mauritius Rum is a spirit drink linked to the organoleptic characteristics of sugar cane, with aromatic profiles, typically rounded and soft, which vary according to the specific distillation styles.
The supply chain of this historic product is made up of 7 distilleries that distill molasses and/or native sugar cane juice.
Mauritius Unrefined Sugar is known for its rich spectrum of flavors, from light to robust molasses with a candy aroma, a bitter aftertaste and notes of chocolate and tropical fruit.
Its production chain consists of 2 mills that process sugar cane grown by approximately 6,000 producers and produces 150,000 tons of sugar annually.
“For Mauritius – says Giovanni Galanti, Head of the project funded by the European Union – a new chapter is opening which translates into the valorization and protection of food products linked to the territory, a useful strategy to consolidate the image of its quality products in the European Union and beyond".