The medium-sized “Milas Yağlı Zeytini” produced from the “Memecik” olive is a table olive with black/purple coloured, split vertically, characterised by fruit-flavour. It differs from other olives grown in Türkiye, with high antioxidant activity, high polyphenol content, the preservation method, and fruity and bitter aroma. The olives are fermented in brine and preserved with olive oil from Memecik variety olives and fresh lemon slices. The quality olive oil used for preserving the olive has similar characteristics as it is produced from the same variety of olive, Memecik, which enhances the product's organoleptic qualities. Using olive oil also ensures less salt utilisation during production.

The Head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, says, “The geographical indication of the second product of Milas will also encourage the producers in other regions. Geographical indication is crucial because consumers know that they are getting a genuine product when they see the geographical indication logo. Registration by the EU will protect the “Milas Yağlı Zeytini”, its producers and consumers and increase its recognition beyond Türkiye."

As there are limited agricultural areas in Milas, a mountainous region with narrow and deep valleys and calcareous lands, natural conditions have shaped olive cultivation as an agricultural activity.

The “Memecik” olive variety, particular to the geographical area, has been cultivated in the Milas region under Mediterranean climatic conditions for generations. The mountainous relief of the region does not allow for the irrigation of the olive trees. Thus, “Milas Yağlı Zeytini” has higher phenol content and a fruity flavour. In addition, alluvial soil that retains water allows olive trees to grow stronger roots to give higher yields.

Reşit Özer, Milas Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman

Stating that this second registration makes them so proud, Reşit Özer, Milas Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman, who applied to the EU to obtain geographical indication, reflects: "We have 13 million 180 thousand olive trees in and around Milas, and some of which are 3,200 years old. We grow the Memecik olive, which is very special. After receiving the EU geographical indication with 'Milas Zeytinyağı' olive oil in 2020, great mobility started in our district. Olive oil factories enlarged. We started to be recognised and export olive oil worldwide. I believe “Milas Yağlı Zeytini” olive will similarly contribute to the Milas brand and the region economically after the EU geographical indication."

The producers are getting excited about the development. Mustafa Baş says, “I have been producing “Milas Yağlı Zeytini” for ten years. I have olive trees inherited from my father. Our olives are already recognised, but with the European Union’s geographical indication, the quality of the olives will also be approved. Thus, I think the recognition of olives will increase even more."

Nurgül Çöllüoğlu, President of the Milas Anatolia Women's Initiative Cooperative

Nurgül Çöllüoğlu, President of the Milas Anatolia Women's Initiative Cooperative, stresses the confidence the EU geographical indication brings: "I can clearly say that after receiving the EU geographical indication, interest in “Milas Yağlı Zeytini” increased because people started to trust the product more. With the geographical indication, the trust in “Milas Yağlı Zeytini” will also increase. People already trust us because we are a women's cooperative; they will trust us more because we sell products with the geographical indication."

The EU has previously awarded PDO and PGI (protected geographical indication) status to other foods from Türkiye: “Antep Baklavası / Gaziantep Baklavası”, “Aydın Kestanesi”, "Aydın İnciri", "Bayramiç Beyazı", "Malatya Kayısısı", "Milas Zeytinyağı", "Taşköprü Sarımsağı", “Giresun Tombul Fındığı”, “Antakya Künefesi”, “Suruç Narı”, “Çağlayancerit Cevizi”,  “Gemlik Zeytini”, and “Edremit Zeytinyağı”.

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