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If you have ever visited Türkiye and come across a dark red or purple drink with a strong salty taste, you may have wondered what it was. The drink, known as salgam, has now received geographical indication registration from the European Union.
Adana’s traditional fermented drink, “Adana salgami” has received geographical indication registration from the European Union, becoming the 45th product from Türkiye recognized under the EU’s protected designation system.
The announcement came from Rifat Hisarciklioglu, president of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), who shared the news on social media and congratulated those involved in the application process.
“Congratulations to Adana and our country,” Hisarciklioglu said, praising the efforts of the Adana Chamber of Commerce and its president, Yucel Bayram.
He added that Türkiye possesses an exceptional diversity of regional products and that TOBB continues to work on expanding international recognition for local specialties.
“Very few regions in the world have such a diversity of products. As the chamber and commodity exchange community, we are making intensive efforts for local and geographically indicated products,” he said.
According to Hisarciklioglu, 46 additional geographical indications and two traditional product names from Türkiye are currently undergoing the EU registration process.
The EU’s geographical indication (GI) system protects foods and agricultural products that originate from a specific region and possess qualities or a reputation linked to that location.
For producers, the designation can provide several advantages:
With the latest registration, Adana salgam joins a growing list of Turkish products recognized in Europe, including items such as Gaziantep baklava, Ezine cheese, Antakya kunefe, Safranbolu saffron, and Afyon pastirma.
Adana’s salgam is a fermented beverage traditionally made from black carrots, bulgur flour and turnip root.
The drink is commonly served alongside kebab dishes in southern Türkiye and has gained popularity in export markets.
According to Selahiddin Nas, head of the Turnip Juice Producers Association, about 95 percent of salgam production in Türkiye comes from Adana.
Nas previously described the product as a traditional drink that originated in homes and neighborhoods before becoming industrialized.
“Shalgam juice is an important product in the healthy beverage category worldwide. It began as something made in homes and neighborhoods. Turning it into an industrial product and securing international recognition is a source of pride,” he said.
Nas added that EU registration could significantly expand the drink’s international presence, especially in European retail markets.
He said producers expect the certification to make it easier for salgam products to enter major European supermarket chains and predicted that sales and exports could at least double following the registration.
With the addition of Adana salgam, Türkiye now has 45 products registered under the EU’s geographical indication system.
These include a wide range of agricultural goods and regional specialties, such as:
Officials say the growing number of registrations reflects efforts to promote regional foods internationally while protecting traditional production methods.
According to TOBB, dozens of additional Turkish products remain under review in the EU system as authorities continue to seek recognition for local agricultural and culinary heritage.
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