Exhibiting at Anuga Select Brazil 2025

The IG-Mathe – Associação dos Amigos da Erva-Mate, headquartered in São Mateus do Sul, Brazil, is a nonprofit industry association responsible for the management and promotion of the Geographical Indication (IG) of erva-mate (yerba mate) produced in the traditional cultivation zone of Paraná. This initiative represents a milestone in the valorization of Brazilian agro-industrial heritage and environmental stewardship.

Mission and Institutional Role

IG-Mathe’s mission is to safeguard, promote, and certify erva-mate produced in compliance with unique cultural and environmental characteristics of the São Mateus do Sul region, which earned Brazil's first Geographical Indication (IG) for erva-mate.

Its strategic activities include:

• IG Certification Management: Certifying erva-mate products that adhere to the defined standards of origin, quality, and sustainability.
• Producer Support and Training: Providing technical training in Good Agricultural Practices (BPA), traceability, and quality assurance.
• Brand Promotion: Supporting local brands that produce under the IG standard, enabling differentiation in the domestic and international markets.

Geographic Indication and Cultural Heritage

The São Mateus do Sul region’s erva-mate production is distinguished by:

• Unique Environmental Conditions: Cultivation in shadedtive forest environments known for richer soil and milder climate.
• Traditional Harvesting Methods: Preserving artisanal knowledge and ancestral harvesting traditions that affect aroma, flavor, and nutrient retention.
• IG Recognition Since 2017: The region was awarded Geographical Indication status by the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), making it the first IG-certified erva-mate in Brazil.

Impact and Reach

As of 2024, IG-Mathe represents and supports:

• Over 30 certified producers across