The use and implementation of Geographical Indications (GI) is a wellestablished practice in most EU countries. Previous studies show thatthe use of PDOs and PGIs is directly related to previous experiencesas well as the relative importance of the agro-food sector in a country'seconomy. In the case of Sweden, the agro-food sector has beenoriented towards continuous structural rationalization since at least the1930's. However, the transformation pressure exerted by a risingcompetitive level in the market, that emanates both from global aswell as regional European sources led to the adoption of newstrategies. These strategies entail the on-farm elaboration of farmproduce, the diversification of activities as well as the use ofcertification schemes. In the case of Kalixlöjrom, the strategy selectedwas the adoption of a PDO, as a way of entering a valorisation processfor export purposes as well as defending the product against dislojalcompetition of products with less quality. As this is the firstexperience with a PDO in Sweden, the case of Kalixlöjrom caviaroffers a rare opportunity to understand the actual problems inimplementing a policy tool developed by Southern European countriesin a country like Sweden. Thus the article highlights the institutionaland structural shortcomings discovered in this process and offers newknowledge and reflections valuable for the future adaptation andimplementation of previously unknown policy instruments