Do geographical indications encourage local production?

Abstract

Providing new production alternatives in the development of the economy in rural areas of Turkey is of particular importance. Geographical indication (GI) labelling differentiates a product from its competitors as to the region where it originated. The improvement of GI labelling production strengthens the efforts of the rural regions in maintaining high standards of the product quality regarding to the health. This paper investigates the way GI is implemented by pestil (dried fruit pulp) producers in Gumushane province in Turkey. A framework formulated is urgently needed to allow the pestil producers to promote their local product to a wider market.

Keywords

• GI labels
• local products
• rural development
• Turkey