Kayseri pastırma secures EU protected status for traditional Turkish delicacy

2026-03-27 - 22:39

A beloved cured meat specialty from central Türkiye has earned official recognition from the European Union, further cementing the country’s success in securing international protection for its rich culinary traditions. The Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye announced Friday that “Kayseri Pastırması,” a beef-based cured meat product, has been officially registered in the EU’s geographical indications registry, becoming the 46th product from Türkiye to receive this distinction. Decades-long effort pays off for Kayseri’s culinary gem Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, president of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), hailed the achievement as a significant milestone for his hometown and for the nation’s broader efforts to preserve local food heritage. “May it be beneficial for my hometown Kayseri and our country,” he said, noting that the registration process faced formal objections that required intensive work from experts and legal teams. The EU geographical indication status provides legal protection against imitation and unauthorized use, ensuring that products whose quality and reputation are tied to a specific region can be safeguarded. Türkiye’s culinary diversity gains international recognition Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized Türkiye’s extraordinary diversity of regional specialties, noting that few countries concentrate such a wide array of geographically distinct products within their borders. He added that TOBB and the chamber-exchange community are making significant efforts to promote local and geographically indicated products, with 46 additional applications and two traditional specialty names from Türkiye currently under review by the EU. The registration of Kayseri pastırma not only protects the product’s authenticity but also strengthens Türkiye’s position as a global custodian of culinary heritage.