PROJECT: Developing origin-based food quality labels in Turkey's Bursa region

 

 

MAIN GOAL

To add value to Turkey’s agri-food sector by developing origin-based labels in the Bursa region and by strengthening the Geographical Indication (GI) system in the country.

BACKGROUND

Agriculture plays an important role in the Turkish economy, both economically and socially.  
The development of GIs is an effective way to achieve market differentiation and add value to both fresh and processed products. Confronted with the misuse of the “Bursa brand” by producers outside of Turkey, the region’s producers were increasingly keen to protect the name of their products.
FAO and the EBRD teamed up with national authorities and private parties to develop GIs in Turkey. Turkey’s Bursa region is famous for its fruits and vegetables, with a well-established reputation at consumer level. The Bursa black figs and peaches were selected. The high quality of the fruit stems from specific growing conditions as well as local production and harvesting techniques that have been passed down over generations. The peel of the plump, sweet Bursa black fig, for example, is thicker than that of figs produced elsewhere, giving it a longer shelf life.
Knowing that producers who use the Bursa name must comply with specific GI rules can give consumers the confidence that what they are buying is the real deal – a product that is safe, unique and of high quality.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

Ultimately, the goal of the project is to enhance the quality of products, add value to the Turkish agri-food sector, improve export opportunities and pave the way for other groups of producers to follow suit. 
Secondary objectives include:

• •developing pilot GIs from the Bursa region, using best international practices, with the aim of getting the GIs registered both at national and European Union level
• reinforcing the registration and protection system of origin-linked quality products (GIs) in Turkey
• supporting public-private coordination at local level and coordination and learning

IMPACT

Producers’ livelihoods in the two pilot projects for Bursa black figs and Bursa peaches have improved following the GI strategies and their results: the two related GIs registered at national level (and prepared for submission at European Union level); producers empowered to market their GI products in new and remunerative channels; improved product quality and traceability.  
Thanks to this initiative, Turkey managed to strengthen the reputation of Bursa’s horticultural products at home and abroad, helping to raise producers’ incomes and build sustainable, inclusive food systems.
 processes between local and national players in the agri-food sector. 

ACTIVITIES

The project was organized around four main components:
(i)                  strengthening the legal and institutional framework of GIs in Turkey; 
(ii)                developing pilot origin-based quality labels (GIs) that can demonstrate good practices;
(iii)               disseminating lessons learned regarding the development of GIs; and
(iv) sharing best practices through a study tour organized to France’s Rhône-Alpes region.
In collaboration with the University of Uludag, the joint project has helped to create an association of producers who have been able to develop and manage GIs together. In addition, they have established a certification and control system to manage and maintain the quality and traceability of products.
With the support of FAO and the EBRD, producers of Bursa black figs and Bursa peaches have been working together to develop their GI system, including preparation of product specifications and control plans for their respective products.

LESSONS LEARNED

• Raising awareness, empowering producers and building capacities of public and private stakeholders are the backbone for GI development.
• The development of a GI requires a multidisciplinary approach including rural sociology, agronomic and economic capacities, with specific methodologies for each stage.
• Collaboration with the local university has been crucial.
• Product specifications are powerful instruments for disseminating sustainable practices that better preserve local resources and a product’s unique attributes.