Families engaged in acerola cultivation in Pérola, Paraná, have initiated the process to obtain Geographical Indication (GI) for their product, which has been internationally certified as organic for over two decades. This effort is a collaboration with Sebrae/PR, the local government, and the Paraná Rural Development Institute (IDR-Paraná), starting in April.
The GI, awarded by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), recognizes products or services from specific regions with unique characteristics. Acerola from Pérola is noted for its high vitamin C content, slightly sweet taste, and reddish hue, alongside its international organic certification. The soil composition and climate of the region contribute to these distinct qualities.
Edson Pinguello, a local fruit grower and president of Frutipérola, has focused on acerola since the 1990s. He emphasizes the fruit's nutritional value and its importance to the local economy. The cooperative he leads consists of 75 members, with 35 cultivating acerola. The city has about 30 hectares of acerola orchards, yielding approximately 300 tons per harvest, with São Paulo being a major market.
The process of obtaining a GI involves multiple steps, including awareness among producers, formation of a management committee, and development of a technical dossier. Adriano Pereira da Silva from Sebrae/PR, which coordinates the GI acquisition efforts, highlights the benefits such as product differentiation, tourism boost, and potential economic gains.
The acerola of Pérola, already a significant agricultural product for the region, contributes between R$4 million and R$5 million per harvest to the local economy. The pursuit of a GI is seen as a way to further enhance the value and recognition of this product on both national and international levels.
Source: Abafrutas