Second EU-registered fresh fig product from Türkiye
The EU contributes to the preservation of the name 'Bursa Siyah İnciri/Bursa Siyahı,' its characteristics in relation to the region's environment, and the traditional methods utilised for its cultivation through its PDO registration, leading to an increase in the economic value of the product for local producers.
The Bursa Siyah İnciri, also known as Bursa Siyahı, is a fresh fig of the 'Dürdane' variety. It features dark purple skin and red flesh and is notable for its large, flattened shape, intense aroma, and balanced sweet-acidic flavour. Its skin is also remarkably easy to peel.
The geographical area where this product is grown, characterised by plains and mountainous terrain, provides the ideal conditions for cultivating the 'Bursa Siyah İnciri/Bursa Siyahı.' Small family farmers produce this fig product across 15 villages in nine districts within the province of Bursa. Production, storage, sorting, and packaging occur in this defined geographical area, as figs are perishable fruits.
EUROPEAN UNION, 2024
These figs are cultivated by small family farmers across 15 villages in nine districts within the province of Bursa
Figs have been grown in Bursa province for a very long time. Two records in the Ottoman archives mention the 'Bursa Siyah İnciri/Bursa Siyahı,' one from 1913 and the other from 1915.
The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, says: "The PDO/PGI registrations in Türkiye demonstrate the commitment of the EU and Türkiye to protect local practices, consumers, and goods, as well as producers. By providing them access to diverse markets with the EU's logo, we help to strengthen the economic position of producers. I am delighted with the EU's PDO registration of the 'Bursa Siyah İnciri/Bursa Siyahı', and I hope this notable recognition will inspire producers across Türkiye."
EUROPEAN UNION, 2024
Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union 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:
"Our fresh figs will now be exported to Europe as 'Bursa Siyah İnciri,' with its name protected by the EU under the PDO. We encourage companies selling these fresh figs in both national and international markets to apply for permission to use the PDO logo. Good luck to everyone."
EUROPEAN UNION, 2024
Osman Özkan, Bursa Region Chairman of the Board of the Köy-Koop
Prof Dr Sertaç Dokuzlu of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Bursa Uludağ University, one of the individuals who carried out the application process, reflects:
"The 'Bursa Siyah İnciri' fresh fig represents a very special product in great demand, especially in the European Union and American markets. However, the 'Bursa Siyah İnciri' has often been subject to unfair competition. The EU's registration will safeguard both its name and the quality of this fig. This registration is anticipated to provide Türkiye with a significant competitive edge."
Emir Serim, a fresh fig producer, says, "The EU registration will add value to our product and help us gain a stronger foothold in the global market. Producers will invariably be more economically empowered."
Süleyman Yavuz, another fresh fig producer, states: "Our expectation with the EU registration is that our figs will find their true value in the European markets, enter the global market, and the growers will be fairly compensated for their substantial efforts."
EUROPEAN UNION, 2024
The EU has awarded PDO or 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, Bursa Şeftalisi, Hüyük Çileği, Bursa Siyah İnciri/Bursa Siyahı, Söke Pamuğu, Manisa Mesir Macunu, and Gaziantep Menengiç Kahvesi/Gaziantep Melengiç Kahvesi.
