As a result of the work carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and stakeholder institutions, Maraş Tarhana and Edremit Bay Green Scratched Olives received geographical indication registration from the European Union (EU). Minister İbrahim Yumaklı stated that they are very happy that Edremit Bay Green Scratched Olive is the province's second EU geographically indicated product, after Edremit olive oil, and Maraş tarhana after Çağlayancerit walnut.
Maraş tarhana, Turkey's 16th and Kahramanmaraş's second geographical indication registered product registered by the EU, is known for its high nutritional value. Maraş tarhana, which was registered as a geographical indication in Turkey on February 23, 2012, is known as a unique product in terms of its components, production and different consumption methods. Yoghurt and cracked wheat (wheat) are used as the main ingredients in its preparation. The fact that the yoghurt is not cooked and only thyme and black cumin (optional) are added as spices makes Maraş tarhana different from other types of tarhana. In addition, the fact that it is woven with reed sticks in the region and laid out on exhibitions called 'dew' to dry adds a special feature.
In Kahramanmaraş, tarhana has an important place in city life as a different cultural element. Neighboring ladies coming together during the construction phase in a cooperative manner and getting up early in the morning to spread tarhana on a special exhibition called 'ciğ' are cultural characteristics based on self-sacrifice. Maraş tarhana is a local flavor specific to Kahramanmaraş.
SECOND GOOD NEWS FOR EDREMIT
Edremit Bay Green Scratched Olive, the second product of Edremit Bay registered by the EU, became Turkey's 17th product to receive a geographical indication from the EU. Edremit Olive Oil from the region had previously been registered by the EU.
Edremit Bay Green Scratched Olive, one of the important agricultural products of the region, is produced from Edremit olives belonging to the olive family (Olea europea). The product is the fruit obtained from grafted plants grown in olive groves in the Gulf of Edremit, at an altitude of 50-250 m and a slope of around 5-6 percent.
Edremit Bay green scratch olives, collected between 1 October and 30 November, are sweetened in natural drinking water and no chemical or heat treatment is applied.
YUMAKLI: WE ARE WORKING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that they are very happy that Maraş tarhana and Edremit Bay Green Scratch Olives received EU geographical indication.
Pointing out that both Kahramanmaraş and Edremit Bay received geographical indications for their second product from the EU, Yumaklı said, “Geographical indications will add abundance to the fertile lands of Kahramanmaraş and Edremit Bay. Our producers will earn more profit while protecting their products. Particularly, the registration of Maraş tarhana for our Kahramanmaraş, which has experienced the disaster of the century, will boost the morale of this beautiful city and contribute to its development. “Good luck,” he said.
Minister Yumaklı underlined that they are working hard with stakeholder institutions to increase the number of geographical indications and thanked those who contributed.
WHAT IS A GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION?
Geographical indication; It is a sign indicating a product that is identified with the region, area, region or country of origin in terms of a distinctive quality, reputation or other characteristics. There are 1504 geographical indications and traditional product name registered products in Turkey. 1315 of these, approximately 90 percent, are agricultural and food products. These registrations are valid within the borders of the country.
In order to provide protection in all EU countries, it is necessary to apply to the European Commission within the framework of the European Council Regulation No. 2012/1151 called Quality Draft on Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs.
4 ITEMS PENDING
All 4 products of Turkey for EU geographical indication registration have been published in the EU Official Gazette and are expected to be registered at the end of the 3-month objection period. These products are listed as Ezine Cheese, Safranbolu Saffron, Araban Garlic and Aydın Memecik Olive Oil.
EU REGISTERED PRODUCTS
The 17 products that received geographical indication registration from the European Union are as follows:
Antep Baklava / Gaziantep Baklava, Aydın Fig, Malatya Apricot, Aydın Chestnut, Milas Olive Oil, Bayramiç White, Taşköprü Garlic, Giresun Chubby Hazelnut, Antakya Kunefe, Suruç Pomegranate, Çağlayancerit Walnut, Gemlik Olive, Edremit Olive Oil, Milas Oiled Olive, Ayaş Tomato , Maraş Tarhana, Edremit Bay Green Scratched Olives.
PRODUCTS Pending EU REGISTRATION
The number of products pending application for EU geographical indication registration is 41. These products are as follows:
Afyon Pastrami, Afyon Sucuġu, Pistachios / Pistachios, Kayseri Ravioli, İnegöl Meatballs, Tonya Butter, Bursa Candied Chestnuts, Amasya Flower Okra, Bursa Black Fig, Manisa Sultani Seedless Grapes, Kilis Olive Oil, İpsala Rice, Aydın Memecik Olive, Manisa Mesir Paste , Hüyük Strawberry, Isparta Rose Oil Silifke Yoghurt, Osmaniye Peanut, Kayseri Pastrami, Adana Turnip, Urla Sakız Artichoke, Blacksmith Jujube, Bingöl Honey, Rize Stream, Sinop Chestnut Honey, Kayseri Sausage, Bursa Peach, Tarsus Sarıulak Olive, Erzurum Water Pastry, Melli Fig, Maraş Pastry, Hopa Anchovy Bread, Gaziantep Menengiç Coffee / Gaziantep Melengiç Coffee, Kırkağaç Melon / Kırkağaç melon, Milas Çekişke Olive, Hatay Kaytaz Pastry, Aydın Pine Nut, Söke Cotton, Urfa Flax Peanut / Şanlıurfa Flax Peanut, Fethiye Rock Fig, Antep Lahmacun.