By Yasin Gungor
ISTANBUL (AA) - The European Union has granted Protected Designation of Origin status to Bursa peaches, a signature variety from Türkiye, marking a significant milestone for Turkish agriculture, the EU Delegation to Türkiye announced on Thursday.
According to a statement, this registration represents the first peach product from Türkiye and the second product from the Bursa region to receive EU recognition, following Gemlik olives.
The new status ensures the preservation of the Bursa peach (Bursa Seftalisi) name and its unique characteristics linked to the region's environment and traditional cultivation methods, the delegation said. The peaches are cultivated in nine districts and villages across the province.
Ambassador-Designate Thomas Ossowski, head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, welcomed the registration, saying it reflects the EU's commitment to celebrating Türkiye's agricultural diversity and protecting local methods, producers, consumers, and products.
Producers from Bursa are also optimistic about this registration. One peach producer said they saw immediate effects from the registration, pointing to an increase in sales.
The application was submitted by the Bursa Region Branch of the Cooperative Union for Village Development and Other Agricultural Purposes (Koy-Koop).
This registration brings the total number of Turkish products with EU geographical indication protection to two dozen, including various agricultural products and foodstuffs.