Processing Architecture and Quality-Scheme Differentiation in European Native Pig Geographical Indications

Geographical indications (GIs) differentiate agri-food products through regulated links between origin, production practices and product attributes. This study examines differences in processing architecture within an identified portfolio of 35 EU-27 native pig Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) meat products. Exact tests, multiple correspondence analysis and exploratory bias-reduced models distinguish fresh products from cured/matured and cured/matured-plus-smoked pathways. The simple processed-versus-fresh margin did not differ by scheme, whereas the three-level pathway did (p < 0.001). PDOs were concentrated in non-smoked curing/maturation, whereas all 11 cured/matured-plus-smoked products were Portuguese PGIs. This geographical concentration limits interpretation of the pooled association as a scheme pattern extending across national portfolios. Geographical sensitivity analyses confirmed the pattern but showed concentration within particular national portfolios. The results indicate that GI specifications encode different bundles of processing attributes, with implications for product differentiation, market communication, specification governance and place-based agri-food policy.