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T24 News Center
Former European Union (EU). It awarded 21 Turkish works. One of these works is Milas oiled olives. Milas oiled olives It has the registration of the EU Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Milas is located in the province of Muğla and is the first district in Turkey where the EU has registered two of its works with geographical indications: Milas-Olives and Milas-Olive Oil.
The EU’s recognition as a protected designation of origin helps to preserve the name of this olive and promote the work and its classic knowledge, as well as its unique characteristics associated with its geographical production area.
Milas-Oil Olive, made from Memecik olives, is a medium-length, black/purple colored, vertically split table olive with a fruity flavor. It differs from other olives grown in Turkey due to its high antioxidant activity, high polyphenol content, preservation method, as well as its fruity and bitter aroma. The quality olive oil used to preserve olives has similar properties as it is made from the exact olive variety Memecik, enhancing the sensory qualities of the product. Olive oil also ensures that less salt is used in production.
Why is geographical indication valuable?
Head of the EU Delegation in Turkey, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, „ The geographical indication is very valuable because when consumers see the logo with the geographical indication, they understand that they are buying an original work. EU recognition protects Milas oil olives, their producers, and consumers, and increases the product’s visibility outside of Turkey.“ says.
As agricultural land in Milas, a mountainous region with narrow and deep valleys and limestone soils, is limited, the natural conditions have shaped olive cultivation as an agricultural activity. The olive variety Memecik specific to the geographical region has been cultivated for generations under Mediterranean climate conditions in the Milas region. The mountainous structure of the region does not allow irrigation of olive trees. For this reason, Milas oil olives have a higher phenol content and a fruity taste. Furthermore, the alluvial soil, which retains water, allows olive trees to develop stronger roots and achieve higher yields.
Some of the 13.1 million olive trees are 3,200 years old!
President of the Milas Chamber of Industry and Commerce Reşit Özer
President of the Milas Chamber of Industry and Commerce, which has applied for a geographical indication from the EU Reşit Özersays that this second registration makes them very proud:
“ In Milas and its surroundings, there are 13 million 180,000 olive trees, some of which are 3,200 years old. We cultivate the very special Memecik olive. After Milas olive oil received the EU geographical indication in 2020, there was a great activity in our district. Olive oil factories increased. We became known worldwide and exported olive oil. I believe that after the EU’s geographical indication, Milas oil olives will make a similar economic contribution to the Milas brand and the region.„
The producers are also pleased with the recognition of their products. Mustafa Bas, “ I have been producing Milas oil olives for 10 years. I have olive trees inherited from my father. Our olives were already recognized, but the quality of our olives was also registered with the geographical indication of the European Union. This further increased the visibility of olives.“ says.
Nurgül Çöllüoğlu, President of the Milas Anatolia Women’s Initiative Cooperative
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