Oportunidades e Entraves Para a Proteção por Indicação de Procedência para os Biscoitos Artesanais de Vitória da Conquista-BA

The cookies produced in the region of Vitoria da Conquista, in Bahia, is one of the regional products that shows notoriety and may be subject to protection by Geographical Indication. The product is the fruit of local tradition, whose know-how has been passed on from generation to generation for approximately a century. This product has been seen since 2005 by the governance system of the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE) as an opportunity for business creation and promotion in the region. The present work aims to analyze the main obstacles and opportunities for the registration of protection by Indication of Origin (IP) for the cookies from Vitoria da Conquista, as well as to suggest promotion strategies. To this end, a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory approach was used as a methodology, with documentary research and content analysis, in addition to technical visits to biscuit producers and the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service. The methodology used to support this study was that of the virtuous circle of quality linked to the origin developed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The results showed that the cookies from Vitoria da Conquista have the potential to register the Indication of Origin and offer numerous benefits and opportunities for the region. However, several obstacles to its promotion were detected, with emphasis on: the lack of an entity that groups producers and traders and lack of specific public policies for GI, among others. Strategies have been suggested that can contribute to the promotion and its development.