Aydin Memecik Olive Oil and EU Registration
The name Aydin Memecik Olive Oil has been registered by the European Union (EU) as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The EU’s recognition of Aydin Memecik Olive Oil will help protect the name of this olive oil, promote the product and its characteristics related to its geographical production area, as well as its traditional knowledge. Naturally extra virgin Aydin Memecik Olive Oil is obtained from Memecik olives grown within the borders of the province of Aydin in the southern Aegean region of Turkey. It differs from other olive oils produced in Turkey by its color ranging from green to golden yellow, intense fruity scent, fruity flavor, as well as a high level of bitterness and pungency. Head of the EU Delegation in Turkey, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut stated: „I welcome the recognition of the twentieth Turkish food product by the EU and the successful continuation of the EU journey of Turkish products.“ The EU registration will increase the awareness of this olive oil. „When consumers see the PDO logo, they will understand that they are buying genuine Aydin Memecik Olive Oil.“
This natural extra virgin olive oil is extracted from Memecik olives. Olive cultivation in Aydin has been carried out for more than two thousand years by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Aydinogullari, Ottomans, and the Republic of Turkey. The province, located in the Buyuk Menderes Basin, has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are rainy. As the Buyuk Menderes Valley opens towards the sea, warm winds and rainfall from the sea can easily reach the inland. These winds give the oil unique properties and protect the olives from olive flies during ripening. Chairman of the applicant institution Aydin Commodity Exchange Fevzi Çondur said, „The EU registration of Aydin Memecik Olive Oil, which has a brand value for the economy of our city, was an encouraging development for our producers.“ As Aydin Commodity Exchange, we are proud that products specific to our city are internationally recognized. I emphasize that our Aydin is at the forefront in registration applications. President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said: „I would like to thank you for your support and hope that the registration will benefit our city and our country.“
