The recognition by the EU as PDO will help to protect the name “Araban Sarımsağı” of this garlic and to promote the product and its unique characteristics linked to geographical area of production, as well as traditional know-how.

This garlic is cultivated in all the villages belonging to the Araban district in Gaziantep province. The region’s climacteric and soil structures effectively form unique features, such as taste and aroma.

“Araban Sarımsağı” is a garlic variety with white bulb and cloves skin colour, its gingiva is of gum colour. The large bulb is oval in cross-section and elliptical in longitudinal section. Strips are on the bulb skin and clove.

EUROPEAN UNION, 2024

It differs from other kinds of garlic produced in Türkiye with its large bulb

The Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, says: “I welcome the twenty-first Turkish food to win recognition by the EU and the fact that the European journey of Turkish products continues so successfully. The EU PDO registration will increase this garlic’s recognition. The consumers will know that they are getting the genuine ‘Araban Sarımsağı’ garlic when they see the PDO logo.”

Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality carried out the application process for the EU registration on behalf of the Araban Chamber of Agriculture. Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin says: “From now on, we will continue to work on garlic powder and black garlic, where cold storage and garlic producers will obtain added value. I am experiencing great happiness and excitement.”

EUROPEAN UNION, 2024

Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin with women garlic producers

Araban Chamber of Agriculture Agricultural Advisor Atilla Turan reflects: “Our garlic is highly attractive. Compared to other garlic cloves, the number of cloves is high, and these cloves are large. I am very proud. The EU logo will contribute to promoting our product, our district, and our province. I also believe that the export possibility will increase.”

The producers from Gaziantep are also positive about this development. Garlic producer Mehmet Delioğlu states: “I think that, with the EU registration, the brand value of Araban garlic will increase, and our garlic will be recognised in Europe.”

Another producer, Tahir Öztürk, says: “Our garlic is very special, big and aromatic. The EU logo will increase its recognition at home and abroad.”

The other producer, Cahit Doğru, reflects: “I am proud. Our product is of very high quality and unique to our region. Just as the ‘Gaziantep Baklavası’ attracts attention, the ‘Araban Sarımsağı’ garlic will do the same.”

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The EU has previously awarded PDO and PGI (protected geographical indication) status to other product names 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”, “Edremit Zeytinyağı”, “Milas Yağlı Zeytini”, “Ayaş Domatesi”,  “Edremit Körfezi Yeşil Çizik Zeytini”, “Maraş Tarhanası”, “Ezine Peyniri”, and “Safranbolu Safranı”, and “Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı”.

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