Agriculture plays a central role in Belarus, shaping food security, nutrition, and rural livelihoods. The country’s agrifood products are deeply tied to cultural traditions, preserving genetic diversity while incorporating modern technologies to enhance quality and value. As Belarus becomes increasingly integrated into the global economy, there is a growing need to improve rural development and identify profitable markets for producers and suppliers. To support this goal, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is promoting geographical indications as a key tool.
On 23 January 2026, FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Belarus and the Institute of System Research in the Agro-Industrial Complex of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, held an inception workshop for the project Strengthening Sustainable Food Systems through Geographical Indications in Minsk. The event brought together over 50 participants—including government officials, experts, researchers, and producers, with half attending online—from across Belarus to explore the benefits of geographical indications in enhancing value chains and boosting the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
Geographical indications, which include designations of origin and indications of source, connect a product’s reputation and quality to its specific geographical origin. Currently, Belarus has only three registered national products—Minskaya mineral water, Lidskiy kvass, and Lidskoye pivo—alongside 37 foreign products. The workshop aimed to raise awareness of how geographical indications can preserve traditions, strengthen local economies, and open new market opportunities for Belarusian producers.
During the event, FAO experts shared international perspectives, including global significance, certification systems, and codes of practice. Experiences from countries such as Georgia, Moldova, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan were highlighted to demonstrate how geographical indications can support diversified rural economies. Participants engaged in discussions to identify Belarusian products suitable for geographical indication registration and explored strategies to promote them in domestic and international markets.
The inception workshop represents a significant step toward building resilient, inclusive, and competitive agrifood systems in Belarus, aligning sustainable agriculture with broader economic and market opportunities.
