Governor Lezama Secures Mayan Chicle Recognition

Governor Mara Lezama’s administration has successfully secured the Geographical Indication for Maya Chicle. This achievement is the result of a historic partnership between the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), the government of Quintana Roo, and the Ministry of Economic Development (Sede).

This accomplishment, reached during Governor Lezama’s second year in office, underscores the administration’s commitment to the development and strengthening of traditional Mayan community activities. The Geographical Indication for Maya Chicle, a process that took seven years to achieve, is a testament to this commitment.

The announcement in the Official Gazette of the Federation is a significant milestone in the fight for economic and social justice for hundreds of families in Quintana Roo, as explained by the State Secretary of Economic Development.

Governor Lezama emphasized the administration’s continuous efforts to ensure shared prosperity is reflected in the Mayan communities. Chicle, native to tropical lands and extracted from the chicozapote tree (sapodilla), has been a vital source of income for generations.

The History of Chicle in Quintana Roo

The history of chicle in Quintana Roo is rooted in the dense, tropical forests that stretch across the Yucatán Peninsula, where chicle extraction became a lifeline for local communities in the early 20th century. Chicle is a natural gum from the sapodilla tree, harvested through a labor-intensive process by workers known as chicleros. Chicleros would climb high into the sapodilla trees, make strategic cuts in the bark, and collect the dripping sap, which they would boil down to a thick, chewy substance. This natural gum base became the foundation of the chewing gum industry.

At its peak, the chicle industry in Quintana Roo thrived as gum producers sold the product to American companies like Wrigley, who used it in their popular chewing gum brands. The production process was grueling, requiring chicleros to work long hours in harsh jungle conditions, enduring heat, rain, and insect bites. This backbreaking work, however, provided a rare source of income for many indigenous and rural communities in Quintana Roo.

By the mid-20th century, synthetic alternatives began replacing natural chicle in chewing gum, leading to a sharp decline in demand. Today, chicle production is a small but sustainable industry, with some producers focused on natural and eco-friendly products. Quintana Roo’s chicleros have left a lasting legacy, and the story of their labor still resonates, offering insight into the region’s economic and cultural history—a history now preserved in some boutique chewing gum brands that still use authentic chicle.

The Geographical Indication provides a unique feature that enhances the value of chicle Maya by recognizing its origin and increasing its presence in national and international markets. This initiative reaffirms the government’s commitment to supporting the families who have preserved the chicle tradition, offering new opportunities and hope for the future of their products.

The state administration’s recognition translates into higher prices and more income for those who have dedicated their lives to this work. This effort is part of the New Agreement for the Welfare and Development of Quintana Roo, promoted by Governor Lezama, which aims to close inequality gaps and generate shared prosperity for all residents of Quintana Roo.

Furthermore, this legal protection acts as a shield against unfair competition, protecting the producers from imitations and forgeries. It fosters trust and recognition among consumers, strengthening the cohesion among the producing communities of Quintana Roo.