Turkey’s patent office says it wants to make the country’s geographic‑indication products more visible internationally and boost their economic value.
The Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TURKPATENT) said 1,794 products have been registered so far, placing Turkey second worldwide in geographic‑indication certifications. Gaziantep leads with 108 registered items, while provinces such as Kırıkkale and Muş have only four each.
TURKPATENT president Muhammed Zeki Durak said Turkey’s rich agricultural base gives it strong potential. “The registrations show our wealth, but the real goal is to increase recognition, expand economic contribution and provide more added value to producers,” he said.
Officials noted that certified products also support tourism, as visitors seek out local specialties in their regions of origin. Durak said geographic indications serve as a quality marker and can help expand exports.
In cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization, TURKPATENT has launched training programs for producers of Edremit and Memecik olive oils, focusing on commercialization, e‑commerce and social media. Next year, similar programs will target Malatya apricot and Giresun hazelnut growers.