Piadina Romagnola PGI has officially gained protection in Japan, thanks to the efforts of the Consortium for the Promotion and Protection of the traditional “bread of Romagna.” The Consortium has successfully registered the collective trademark “Piadina Romagnola,” featuring the distinctive rooster emblem, at the Japan Patent Office (JPO) for products labeled as “Piadina produced in Italy.”
Under this arrangement, only Consortium members will be permitted to use the designation “Piadina Romagnola” within the Japanese market, ensuring that products made in Romagna comply with specific standards. Additionally, companies looking to export to Japan will require authorization from the Consortium to utilize the rooster-marked trademark, further safeguarding the integrity of the product. This protocol is already established in the United States, Switzerland, and San Marino.
“This is a significant milestone for Romagna,” states Alfio Biagini, president of the Consortium. “It enhances our efforts to protect our region’s flagship product in a crucial market like Japan. Moreover, it could serve as a springboard for Expo 2025 in Osaka, attracting international visitors.”
Biagini highlights that the connection between Piadina Romagnola PDO and Japan is well-established: “Last year, the Consortium participated in the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World as part of the Emilia-Romagna region’s initiative in Tokyo and Osaka. Last February, we hosted a delegation from Ibaraki Prefecture, who visited one of our member facilities. This demonstrates how Piadina Romagnola acts as our ambassador on the global stage.”
