Six Andalusian industrial sectors with a long tradition process the declaration of the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), a seal of excellence that provides a competitive advantage. The Board of Directors expressed its support for these initiatives after the Board of Directors meeting that was held … It was celebrated on Wednesday, given the opportunity provided by the European Union, which is responsible for granting this recognition. Brussels has recently opened the door to high-quality craft and industrial activitiesGoodwill or other specific characteristics associated with the place of production may have this consideration outside the scope of agri-food products.
Support is provided by the Council of Andalusia through technical assistance and guidance in the preparation of geographical indication proposals, not limited to merely the processing that corresponds to them, accompanying the groups of producers, who have to submit the application, in this procedure to process the PGI registration of “Blanco Macael” in the stone and marble sector of Almería; “Sacred Art of Seville”; From “Cordoba Jewellery”; “Piel de Ubrique” and “Sherry Casks” associated with Marco de Jerez, in the province of Cádiz; and “Valverde del Camino Artisan Shoes” in the province of Huelva.
The European Union is established A European level recognition system through PGI will be beneficial for consumersby improving awareness of product authenticity and will have a positive economic impact on small and medium-sized enterprises by enhancing competitiveness, with a positive impact on employment, development and tourism in rural areas. It will also facilitate access to third country markets through trade agreements.
The procedure it defines is divided into two stages, a first national stage and a subsequent European stage, where The EU Intellectual Property Office grants or refuses the registration of a geographical indication in the EU Register. In the case of Spain, the Patent and Trademark Office is the competent body for geographical indications whose territorial scope extends to more than one autonomous community or city.
The European Regulation sets 2 December 2025 as the date on which applications can be submitted that will initiate the procedure for obtaining new geographical indications. Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines It is the designated body in Andalusia to administer the PGI for artisanal and industrial products, without prejudice to the powers of the Ministry of Labour, Business and Self-Employment in artisanal matters.
White Macael from Almeria
White marble, known as white gold of Andalusia, extracted from the Sierra de Villabres in Almería, is considered a symbolic natural stone and closely linked to Andalusian history and culture, as evidenced by its prominence in some Andalusian architectural gems, among which Andalusian architecture stands out, especially its use in the 124 columns and fountain of the Court of the Lions in the Alhambra in Granada.
However, its roots go back even further, and have been evident throughout the centuries, with great use by the Roman Empire and symbolic buildings such as The Roman Theater of Mérida, the Mosque of Cordoba, the Medina of Zahra Palace and the Royal Palaceamong many other things. Its harmonious and elegant characteristics, alternating between white and gray tones, make its use appreciated today by architects and interior designers from all over the world, becoming one of the most popular and distinguished natural products in the Almería stone and marble industry.
The Crece Stone and Marble Industry Value Chain Plan, promoted by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines, specifically focuses on strengthening the stone and marble industry and its accompanying entities in the sector to address the challenges and opportunities it faces. Among its objectives are to promote commercial expansion in the European and international market, as well as differentiation according to quality and origin of the product.
Marble quarry in Sierra de Macael
Sacred art in Seville
Andalusia, and especially Seville, has a long tradition of embroiderers, sculptors, sculptors, goldsmiths and other craftsmen who have developed and today maintain a rich cultural heritage that is in many cases guarded by its sisters and brothers. aware of you Social, cultural, tourism, economic and religious importanceThe Council has implemented various initiatives that have an impact on the sector of crafts and crafts related to sacred art, and with which it shares the mission of protecting and disseminating our cultural heritage, among which it is worth highlighting the granting of subsidies for the preservation and restoration of movable properties of religious cultural heritage in Andalusia, It has been promoted since 2020 by the Ministry of Culture and SportsThose targeting small and medium-sized companies and craft associations, which were held by the Ministry of Employment, Business and Self-Employment, with the aim of improving the competitiveness, digitalization and sustainable growth of the craft sector in Andalusia.
Cordoba Jewellery
The jewelry tradition is closely linked to its culture and history in Andalusia, with Córdoba the center of its activities. As an example, There are 730 companies in Andalusia specialized in the jewelry manufacturing sector Which covers the different links of its value chain, 63% of which is located in Cordoba. The jewelry makers of Córdoba, as a result of the fusion of cultures, represent an intangible heritage that has known, without losing its essence, how to explore new areas of development, finding itself in a process of industrial transformation, with the support of actors and entities that have played an essential role such as Cordoba Jewelery Association, Cordoba Jewelry Park, or Cordoba Jewelry School of the Government of AndalusiaIt is a national reference center for jewelry and goldsmithing in Cordoba, which has contributed to this remarkable change in the production methods of a large part of Andalusian jewelry companies.
Ubrik skin
The Andalusian leather goods sector widely leads the Spanish sector in terms of the number of companies and people employed.with more than 500 registered companies, representing 31% nationwide. The region of Ubrique and the Sierra de Cádiz concentrates a large portion of manufacturing companies dedicated to the development and production of leather goods in large quantities, representing 80% of the Andalusian market as a whole.
Furthermore, as a distinctive feature of the sector, eight out of ten companies have fewer than ten workers and are distinguished by their artisanal heritage and influence. The main activity focuses on providing production services to third parties, especially major brands in the fashion sector with internationally recognized prestige.
This business network specializes in the high-quality sector. In fact, the standards it offers when performing third-party manufacturing services are very high, hence the close relationship with the luxury sector. Furthermore, 75% of the leather products produced in the Sierra de Cádiz are exported, so its commercial fabric constitutes a clear example of internationalization.
One of the bags made in Ubrik
Sherry Cassex from Marco de Jerez
History of Sherry Casks (the oak barrel that holds the sherry). A direct link with the commercial future of Marco de Jerez winesSince then, with its significant commercial expansion in the 19th century throughout the United Kingdom, casks that had held sherry wine throughout its aging and export began to be used for aging spirits, especially Scotch whisky. In this way, the butts impregnated with the flavors and aromas of sherry wines provided them with new nuances that they lacked before passing through them.
Sherry Casks not only combine the traditions of wine drinking shoes, but… But manufactured in cooperatives. An important part of sherry culture also lies in the fact that the manufacture of barrels that hold the wine during its aging has formed over centuries one of the most emblematic guilds in the city of Jerez, such as the Guild of Cooperatives, whose activity in the manufacture and repair of the sherry boot lies somewhere between craft and art.
Valverde del Camino shoes
The municipality of Valverde del Camino in Huelva has a long historical tradition in the shoe industry, documented since the 19th century, which reaches the present day as an added value to the quality of its products and a uniqueness that is identified within and outside Andalusia as a brand with recognized status.
The boom began with the manufacture of mining and riding boots, and extended to work and fashion boots. The city became a national standard for its quality, design and durability, and excelled in the production of its famous “Valverde shoes”, entirely handcrafted.
Activities involved The manufacturing of this product is included within the value chain plans. The textile, leather and shoe industry is growing in AndalusiaThe development of this activity is being promoted in Andalusia. In this sense, among the agreed objectives is to enhance its commercial and international expansion by spreading its differentiation thanks to the quality of products and experience, which embodies the aspiration to achieve a protected geographical indication.