Silifke Yoğurdu: Türkiye’s First EU-Protected Yoghurt

Silifke Yoğurdu: Türkiye's First EU-Protected Yoghurt

Yoghurt - a Turkish gift to the world - has a history as rich as its taste. It is thought to have been first made by the Turkic people of Central Asia at the beginning of the Neolithic period. In time, the taste conquered tables around the world.

Yoghurt is now a staple dish in countless cuisines. Türkiye stands out for its remarkable variety of styles and flavours, making it a true yoghurt lovers' paradise. One such variety is Silifke Yoğurdu, a yoghurt immortalised in folk songs, which recently gained greater recognition after receiving Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status from the European Union. This recognition reflects both the skill of local producers and the unique qualities of the region, where hairy goats graze on aromatic plants growing in the Taurus Mountains.

Made in Mersin province, Silifke Yoğurdu represents Türkiye's first yoghurt to receive this important recognition. It is also the first product from Mersin region to gain such an honour - one that can open up new markets for the area.

The EU supports the preservation of the name Silifke Yoğurdu by registering it as a PGI, recognising its specific characteristics linked to the region's environment and traditional cultivation methods. This registration also aims to increase the economic value of the product for local producers.

In line with EU requirements, the PGI logo must be used in association with the denomination

Silifke Yoğurdu is a fermented dairy product made from either goat milk only or a mixture of cow and goat milk. This yoghurt has a thicker consistency and a clean, waxy flavour than other yoghurts. Due to the goat milk, the yoghurt is bright white and has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. When cow milk is added, the colour changes slightly and may have some creamy tones.

It is made from the milk of the hairy goat, locally called "kara keçi" (black goat). The aromatic plants that the goats graze on in the wooded areas of the Taurus Mountains contribute to the flavour. Similarly, cows that graze on the green pastures of the Göksü plain and are fed dried peanut leaves, produce milk rich in aromatic compounds.

The Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Jurgis Vilčinskas

The Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Jurgis Vilčinskas, states: "Receiving the first PGI registration for one of Türkiye's yoghurt varieties is an important recognition. EU recognition plays a crucial role in raising the prestige of products such as this yoghurt, both in Türkiye and in Europe. With the PGI logo, producers have better market opportunities and consumers know they are getting the real Silifke Yoğurdu when they see the logo".

Nurettin Kaynar, President of Silifke Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the applicant institution, reflects: "Silifke Yoğurdu has officially become the first Turkish yoghurt to be recognised by the European Commission. We hope that this recognition will bring prosperity to our district, our province and our country".

Nurettin Kaynar, President of Silifke Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Yoghurt producer Sadrettin İriş says: "Following the GI registration of Silifke Yoğurdu in Türkiye, we applied to Silifke Chamber of Commerce and Industry to use Türkiye's GI logo. With this logo, our sales have already increased and we're very pleased. Now, we are waiting for using the EU PGI logo. We hope that sales will increase more. A big thanks to everyone who has contributed".

Producer İsmail Hakkı Köroğlu

Another producer, İsmail Hakkı Köroğlu, says: "Following the EU's recognition of Silifke Yoğurdu we have seen growing interest from Europe. Turks living abroad are especially curious about our yoghurt and want to try it".

The EU has awarded PDO or PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status to the following products 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, Safranbolu Safranı, Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı, Araban Sarımsağı, Bingöl Balı, Osmaniye Yer Fıstığı, Bursa Şeftalisi, Hüyük Çileği, Bursa Siyah İnciri/Bursa Siyahı, Söke Pamuğu, Manisa Mesir Macunu, Gaziantep Menengiç Kahvesi / Gaziantep Melengiç Kahvesi, Silifke Yoğurdu, Aydın Memecik Zeytini, Aydın Çam Fıstığı, Afyon Pastırması, Afyon Sucuğu, Gaziantep Fıstık Ezmesi, Kırkağaç Kavunu, and Mut Zeytinyağı.

The stories on Geographical Indications in Türkiye

Stories about EU-Türkiye cooperation