Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The program, moderated by Gürsel Cingöz and attended by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Kayseri Chamber of Industry President Mehmet Büyüksimitçi, Kayseri Chamber of Commerce President Ömer Gürsoy, Kayseri Commodity Exchange President Recep Bağlamış, Kayseri Agricultural Forestry Manager Mustafa Şahin and Central Anatolia Development Agency (ORAN) Secretary General Ahmet Emin Kilci, saw discussion of regional and geographically marked products.

TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Anatolia, with a history of 12,000 years, is home to thousands of regional products, and said, “If we cannot promote and market these values, if we cannot bring them into the economy, they have no value.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu said that local and natural products are now preferred in the world, “‎The consumer pays more for geomarked products.‎ Geomarked product means the enrichment of the city.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu explained that Italy makes 1 billion dollars a year from one cheese variety in France, and that while there is a different cheese variety in each village in our country, its economic value is not at the desired level, “We have a great cheese culture, but none of us are aware of it. If we can't brand it, if we can't grow it, we'll lose out on billions of dollars.”

- “YÖREX triggered the geomarked products”

Noting that Regional Products Fair is a courageous initiative, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Antalya has brought together thousands of years of Anatolian accumulation in Antalya by adopting this endeavor, “In 2010, YÖREX, which was held with the participation of 42 provinces, was held in 2019 with the participation of the regional products of 81 provinces. Our number of geomarked products is at the point where it makes the whole world jealous. YÖREX triggered the geomarked product process. Due to the pandemic, we took a break from YÖREX last year, hopefully we will continue where we left off this year.”

- “Chambers and exchanges became the pioneers of geomarking”

Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, who explained that as TOBB, they support local development and work to increase the added value and commercial value of local products, said, “We help market local products throughout the country. We ensure that a large number of geographically marked products are sold on grocery shelves. Our chambers and exchanges support the manufacturer in exposing, promoting and branding local and national products. Thanks to the efforts of our chambers and exchanges, we have no provinces which haven’t registered a product. As TOBB, we are guiding this process.”

Noting that 7 regional products have been registered in the EU in Turkey, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that 16 products have begun their application processes and that they are following up with these as TOBB.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they have started work on the sale of geomarked products within the scope of e-commerce. “The growth rate of e-commerce sites is 100% compared to before the pandemic. The share of e-commerce in total trade is close to 20%, at 17%. We hope to utilize this.”

- Presidents introduce Kayseri's local products

Mehmet Büyüksimitçi, President of Kayseri Chamber of Industry and TOBB Board Member, stated that Kayseri is home to many regional products and noted that they are working to bring local products into the economy. “YÖREX is an important fair. President Ali has been working incredibly hard at this for years. The president's energy is amazing.”

Kayseri Chamber of Commerce President Ömer Gürsoy stated that Kayseri, which has a history of 6,000 years, has a wide food and culinary culture. “Many civilizations have left their mark on Kayseri. This is the source of the richness of our local products.” Gürsoy stated that 16 products, especially Kayseri's beef bacon, sausage and ravioli, received geomarks and that there were geomark applications for many products such as Kayseri yaglama, katmer and tandoor pastry.

The president of Kayseri Commodity Exchange, Recep Bağlamış noted that, according of Evliya Çelebi - a 17th-century man in Kayseri - that beef bacon production was mentioned in the 17^th century. He noted that bacon flavored with the wind of Mount Erciyes is the most important regional product of the city. Bağlamış said that Kayseri produces 65% of domestic bacon and 35% of domestic sausage, and explained the work they have done to protect local products as the Commodity Exchange.

Kayseri Agriculture and Forestry Manager Mustafa Şahin stressed that Kayseri is an industrial city but an important agricultural city. “We are a red meat base,” Şahin said, explaining that Kayseri, which has a large trade volume with sausage, cured meat and meat products, is a city rich in local products.

Ahmet Emin Kilci, Secretary General of the Central Anatolia Development Agency, explained the work they have done as an agency to ensure that local products are not lost and brought into trade. Noting that many products organize financial support programs in order to get geographical markings, Kilci said, “We are leading the way in bringing local products into the economy.”