“Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı” olive oil wins EU recognition
The recognition by the EU will help to protect the name “Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı” of this olive oil and to promote the product and its unique characteristics linked to geographical area of production, as well as traditional know-how.
“Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı”, the natural extra virgin olive oil, is obtained from the Memecik olive grown in the South Aegean Region of Türkiye within the borders of Aydın province. It differs from other olive oils produced in Türkiye, with its green to golden yellow colour, intense fruit odour, fruity aroma and high levels of bitterness and pungency.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, says: “I welcome the twentieth Turkish food to win recognition by the EU and the fact that the EU journey of Turkish products continues so successfully. The EU registration will increase this olive oil’s recognition. The consumers will know that they are getting the genuine ‘Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı’ olive oil when they see the PDO logo.”
DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO TÜRKIYE
This natural extra virgin olive oil is obtained from the Memecik olive
Olive cultivation in Aydın has been practised by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Aydınoğulları, Ottomans and in the Republic of Türkiye for over 2000 years.
A Mediterranean climate prevails in the province located in the Büyük Menderes Basin. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are rainy. Since the Büyük Menderes Valley opens up to the sea, the warming winds and rainfall from the sea can easily reach the interior. These winds give the oil unique properties and protect the olives from the olive fly during ripening.
Fevzi Çondur, the Chairman of Aydın Commodity Exchange, the applicant institution, says: “The registration of ‘Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı’ olive oil, a brand value for the economy of our province, by the EU, has been an encouraging development for our producers. As Aydın Commodity Exchange, we are proud that the products specific to our province are recognised internationally. I would like to emphasise that Aydın ranks first in registration applications. I would like to thank Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye, for his support and wish that the registration will be beneficial to our province and our country.”
DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO TÜRKIYE
Fevzi Çondur, the Chairman of Aydın Commodity Exchange
Huriye Özener, the trademark and patent consultant who carried out the application process in the institution’s name, reflects: “I am very happy and proud. In addition to ‘Aydın İnciri’ fig and ‘Aydın Kestanesi’ chestnut, Aydın has become the first province in Türkiye to have three products recognised by the EU with together with‘Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı’ olive oil. ‘Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı’ olive oil became the third olive oil registered after Milas Olive Oil and Edremit Olive Oil. Good luck to our country and olive oil producers.”
The producers from Aydın are also positive about this development. “Until now, ‘Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı’ olive oil has always remained in the shadow of other olive oils. Even though we explained how high quality our olive oil was, people had question marks in their minds. With the EU registration, everyone will now be sure of the quality of our olive oil,” says the producer Cezmi Yıldırım.
Another producer, Bahattin Yorgun, states: “I am proud. Our product is precious, and with the EU registration, the value of our product will be known not only in Aydın and Türkiye but also worldwide.”
Dursun Ertürk, the other producer, reflects: “I think, with the EU registration, ‘Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı’ olive oil will increase its recognition both in Türkiye and Europe. As a producer, I am pleased.”
The retired teacher Aysel Çakıcı, living in Aydın, says: “It's such a delicious olive oil, and I use it in meals and salads. I am glad that the value of this olive oil is recognised.”
DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO TÜRKIYE
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”.
