The Local Government Board of Elche has officially approved the application to register the city’s traditional white palm as a European Union protected craft geographical indication. This special protective status aims to formally link the historic product directly to the municipality of Elche.
The Mayor of Elche, Pablo Ruz, explained that recent European regulations have expanded to allow the protection of artisanal crafts tightly connected to a specific territory, moving beyond the traditional geographical protections previously reserved solely for agricultural and food products. Ruz maintained that the local white palm craft fully satisfies all the necessary criteria for this status, owing to its distinct origin, long-standing tradition, prestige and deep-rooted history within Elche.
The overarching objective of the application is to safeguard a historic trade, offer formal backing to the local artisans who keep the practice alive and reinforce one of the most widely recognised cultural identities of Elche. Furthermore, the Mayor highlighted that obtaining this official European distinction could bring a positive boost to the local economy, while simultaneously enhancing the cultural and tourism profile of the municipality.
