Sorgun cheese secures geographical indication status in Turkey

Sorgun cheese, a traditional white cheese produced in Sorgun village of Keles district, Bursa Province, has been granted geographical indication (GI) registration. The protection was awarded to the Sorgun Köyü Tarımsal Kalkınma Kooperatifi, confirming the cheese’s specific origin, traditional methods and quality standards.

The GI status is expected to enhance the product’s brand visibility, market price and consumer trust, while strengthening the local farming economy. The achievement follows a successful legal battle by village residents against a proposed marble quarry that threatened grazing lands, underscoring the community’s commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable production.

Industry observers note that the designation may increase the cheese’s distribution beyond the region and contribute to broader rural development in Turkey.