Products with Geographical Indication

Yoghurt - a Turkish gift to the world - has a history as rich as its taste. It is thought to have been first made by the Turkic people of Central Asia at the beginning of the Neolithic period. In time, the taste conquered tables around the world.

In the heart of South-Eastern Türkiye, where centuries-old recipes are passed down like precious heirlooms, Gaziantep’s culinary mastery is attracting global attention. Renowned for its rich heritage, this vibrant city is home to three iconic flavours that have been awarded the prestigious EU Geographical Indication (GI) status: Gaziantep Menengiç/Melengiç Kahvesi, Gaziantep/Antep Baklavası, and Gaziantep Fıstık Ezmesi.

Green, pink, and black with a small protrusion at the tip. These olives, grown in Türkiye on branches grafted onto wild olive trees, have been elevated to a special status by the European Union (EU).

The designation Manisa Mesir Macunu denotes a traditional spicy-sweet paste recently granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status by the European Union (EU). This is the first product from Manisa province to receive this important recognition from the EU.

The term ‘Bingöl Balı’ denotes a particular type of honey recently granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Union (EU). This is the first honey from Türkiye and the first product from the Bingöl province to receive this important recognition from the EU.

The designation ‘Söke Pamuğu’ denotes a particular type of cotton recently granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status by the European Union (EU). Söke Pamuğu represents the EU’s and Türkiye’s first cotton product and the fourth product from the Aydın province, after Aydın İnciri (fig), Aydın Kestanesi (chesnut), and Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı (olive oil), to receive this important recognition from the EU.

“Ayaş Domatesi (tomato) won’t disappear because every woman here keeps its seeds in their dowry chest. My grandmothers followed this practice, my mother continued it and now I do it too,” says Semiha Tuncal, a resident of Ayaş, Ankara, as she displays the seeds she has preserved in her dowry chest.

Olive cultivation is an important agricultural production activity in Türkiye. Of the 30 Turkish product recognised by the European Union (EU) to date, three are olive oils, and two are table olives; Milas Yağlı Zeytini and Milas Zeytinyağı belong to this list.

The designation 'Bursa Siyah İnciri/Bursa Siyahı' denotes a particular type of fresh fig recently granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Union (EU). The 'Bursa Siyah İnciri/Bursa Siyahı' represents the second fresh fig product from Türkiye, after the 'Aydın İnciri,' and the third product from the Bursa province, after the 'Gemlik Zeytini' (olive) and 'Bursa Şeftalisi' (peach), to receive this important recognition from the EU.

The designation ‘Hüyük Çileği’ denotes a particular type of strawberry recently granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Union (EU). Hüyük Çileği represents the first strawberry from Türkiye and the first product from the Konya province to receive this important recognition from the EU.

The term ‘Bursa Şeftalisi’ denotes a type of peach recently granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Union (EU). This is the first peach product from Türkiye and the second product from the Bursa region to receive this important recognition from the EU, after ‘Gemlik Zeytini’.

The term ‘Osmaniye Yer Fıstığı’ denotes a particular type of peanut recently granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Union (EU). This is the first peanut from Türkiye and the first product from the Osmaniye province to receive this important recognition from the EU.

The name “Araban Sarımsağı” for a variety of garlic has been registered as the protected designation of origin (PDO) by the European Union (EU). Thus, “Araban Sarımsağı” garlic became the second Turkish garlic to be recognised by the EU, after “Taşköprü Sarımsağı” garlic, and the second name for the product of Gaziantep province to be recognised by the EU, after “Gaziantep Baklavası”.

The name “Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı” for a variety of olive oil has been registered as the protected designation of origin (PDO) by the European Union (EU).

The name “Safranbolu Safranı” for a variety of saffron has been registered as the protected designation of origin (PDO) by the European Union (EU).

The name “Ezine Peyniri” of a variety of cheese has been registered as the protected designation of origin (PDO) by the European Union (EU), the first PDO in Türkiye registered by the EU.

The name “Maraş Tarhanası” for a variety of dried food has been registered as the protected geographical indication (PGI) by the European Union (EU). The recognition by the EU will help to protect the name of “Maraş Tarhanası” and to promote the product and its unique characteristics linked to geographical area of production as well as traditional know-how.

After Milas in Muğla province, Edremit in Balıkesir province became the second district in Türkiye to have two products names registered as PDO by the EU: “Edremit Körfezi Yeşil Çizik Zeytini” for a table olive and previously "Edremit Zeytinyağı" for olive oil.

“Ayaş Domatesi” tomato has been awarded the protected designation of origin (PDO) status by the European Union (EU). The recognition by the EU will help to protect the name of “Ayaş Domatesi” and to promote the product and its unique characteristics linked to geographical area of production as well as traditional know-how.

“Milas Yağlı Zeytini” olive has been awarded the protected designation of origin (PDO) status by the European Union (EU). Thus, Milas in Muğla province became the first district in Türkiye to have two products registered as geographical indications by the EU: “Milas Yağlı Zeytini” olive and previously "Milas Zeytinyağı" olive oil. The recognition by the EU will help to protect the name of "Milas Yağlı Zeytini", just as "Milas Zeytinyağı", and to promote the product and its unique characteristics linked to geographical area of production as well as traditional know-how.