The EU ensures the preservation of the name ‘Bursa Şeftalisi,’ its unique characteristics in relation to the region’s environment, and the traditional methods utilised for its cultivation through its PDO registration.

European Union, 2024

‘Bursa Şeftalisi’ has yellow skin with a red blush and yellow flesh, which is sweet and juicy

The name ‘Bursa Şeftalisi’ actually comprises two varieties of peach: J.H. Hale and Glohaven. Both varieties are medium-sized, with a loose pit, yellow skin with a red blush, and yellow flesh, which is sweet and juicy. The fruit of the J.H. Hale variety is fuzzy and firm, while the fruit of the Glohaven variety is slightly fuzzy and medium firm. 

Bursa has a suitable soil structure and exceptional climatic conditions, including wind speed, for growing peaches. The peaches are grown in nine districts and villages in the province of Bursa. 

The peaches are packaged in cardboard, wooden trays, or boxes for distribution to the final consumer, with no plastic packaging employed.

European Union, 2024

These peaches are grown in nine districts and villages in the province of Bursa

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, says: “The PDO/PGI registrations in Türkiye reflect the EU’s commitment to celebrating the rich diversity of Türkiye’s agricultural landscape and protecting local methods, producers, consumers, and products. I welcome the EU’s registration of the ‘Bursa Şeftalisi’ peach as a PDO, and I hope that producers throughout Türkiye will draw inspiration from this registration.”

European Union, 2024

Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, the Head of the Delegation of the EU to Türkiye

The application for registration was submitted by the Bursa Region Branch of the Cooperative Union for Village Development and Other Agricultural Purposes (Köy-Koop). Osman Özkan, Bursa Region Chairman of the Board of the Köy-Koop states:

“This is a very good development for Bursa. Our peach will now go to Europe as ‘Bursa Şeftalisi’, and its name will be protected by the EU thanks to the PDO. Our product will be better known. Good luck to everyone.”

European Union, 2024

Osman Özkan, Bursa Region Chairman of the Board of the Köy-Koop

One of the people who was involved in the application process was Prof Dr. Sertaç Dokuzlu of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Bursa Uludağ. She reflects:

“In cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Bursa Uludağ University, the project: ‘Supporting the Development of Geographical Indications in Türkiye and Bursa Region and Promoting Local Exchange of Lessons Learned’ was implemented between 2016 and 2018. As part of this project, preparations were made for the EU registration of ‘Bursa Şeftalisi’ and ‘Bursa Siyah İnciri’. The Bursa Şeftalisi consists of two heritage varieties and is characterised by its taste. The EU registration will encourage producers to protect heritage varieties. It will prevent unfair use of the name ‘Bursa Şeftalisi’. With the EU registration, our peach will be able to find a market in the EU, which is itself a peach-producing region, and the region’s competitiveness will increase both domestically and internationally.”

The producers from Bursa are also optimistic about this registration. “We are very pleased. We immediately saw the effect of the EU registration, and our sales increased. I believe we will find more markets in Europe from now on,” says İsmail Korku, a peach producer. 

Another producer, Haluk Kürel, states: “EU registration will add value to our product and create momentum both domestically and on the global market. It will also have a positive impact on our exports.” 

European Union, 2024

The EU has awarded PDO and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status to the following products 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, Safranbolu Safranı, Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı, Araban Sarımsağı, Bingöl Balı, Osmaniye Yer Fıstığı, and the Bursa Şeftalisi.

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