Cordeiro de Barroso

Fresh lamb meat from crosses of Churra Galega and Bordaleira de Entre Douro e Minho, born, reared, and slaughtered within eight named municipalities of the Vila Real district in Portugal. Animals are slaughtered at up to four months, and carcases are classified into three weight groups ranging from 4.0 to 12.0 kg. Cutting and packing must also take place within the defined geographical area.

About this designation

Cordeiro de Barroso, Anho de Barroso, and Cordeiro de leite de Barroso are the three registered names under PGI file number PGI-PT-0231, granted EU protection on 6 May 2002 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013538). The designation covers fresh meat obtained from the carcases of male or female ovines produced by crossing Churra Galega with Bordaleira de Entre Douro e Minho, reared non-intensively and slaughtered after 30 to 120 days. The geographical area of production, within which animals must be born, reared, and slaughtered and within which carcases must be cut and packed, comprises the Vila Real district municipalities of Boticas, Chaves, Mondim de Basto, Montalegre, Murça, Ribeira de Pena, Valpaços, and Vila Pouca de Aguiar. Carcases fall into three weight groups: A (4.0–7.0 kg), B (7.1–10 kg), and C (10.1–12.0 kg). Immediately after post mortem inspection, carcases or cuts are refrigerated to 4 °C or less (± 1 °C), with a finishing temperature of 7 °C within the carcase reached in less than 12 hours, and relative humidity maintained at 85–90 % until despatch. Each package carries a numbered certification mark enabling traceability back to the individual holding. The inspection body is Tradição e Qualidade — Associação Interprofissional para Produtos Agro-Alimentares de Trás-os-Montes, recognised as complying with Standard 45011:2001. Labels must display the words 'Cordeiro de Barroso (PGI)', the product logo, the Community logo, the name of the inspection body, and a serial number.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 6 May 2002 under file number PGI-PT-0231 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013538).
• Animals must be slaughtered at up to four months, with carcase weights falling between 4.0 and 12.0 kg across three defined weight groups.
• Cutting and packing must take place within the defined geographical area; the specification states that traceability cannot otherwise be guaranteed.
• The breed cross is exclusively Churra Galega with Bordaleira de Entre Douro e Minho; no other cross is permitted under the specification.

Tasting notes

Trás-os-Montes lamb IGP from Barroso area, Galega and Bordaleira de Entre-Douro-e-Minho breeds.

HoReCa use

Cordeiro de Barroso meat has historically been an important local food in the Barroso region, particularly on feast days, and is sometimes offered as a gift on special occasions.

Packaging

• Same

Seasonality