The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has successfully registered Scotch Whisky as a trademark in South Africa, giving “a greater degree of legal protection”.
The industry representatives say the legal protection is vital to its future export success.
The value of the move is reflected in the scale of the market, with Whisky now the seventh largest export market by volume and nearly 100 bottles shipped to South Africa every minute.
The SWA said that, by value, South Africa is ninth globally, with exports up by 20.7 per cent to £144 million in 2017.
It is one of the first foreign registrations in South Africa to secure protection, helping enforcement against counterfeit products sold as Scotch Whisky.
South Africa joins over 100 other countries where Scotch Whisky has been granted specific legal protection, including Australia and Taiwan.
Whisky became the first geographically recognised foreign product to secure enhanced legal protection in New Zealand after a strong year when exports were up 27%.
The SWA said it is looking to increase legal protection in its global markets and at least one other market is expected to announce increased protection in 2018.
Karen Betts, chief executive of the SWA, said the South African registration was a "milestone for Scotland’s national drink in our largest export market in Africa, and one of the largest in the world".
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She said: "This registration offers Scotch Whisky a greater degree of legal protection and will allow us to prosecute rogue traders who seek to cash in on the heritage, craft and quality of genuine Scotch.
“Consumers can enjoy Scotch Whisky confident that South Africa stands behind Scotch Whisky as a Scottish product, produced according to traditional methods."
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