Baklava, Halloumi and the Geographic-Indication Wars — 2026-09-12
This week, Turkey continued its domestic push for geographic indication (GI) registrations, with new certifications for regional products like Acıpayam carrots and Karapınar carpets. Meanwhile, the broader GI wars remain centered on the stalemate between the US and EU over "generic" cheese names like feta and parmesan, which is currently stalling US-Mexico trade negotiations.
Baklava, Halloumi and the Geographic-Indication Wars — 2026-09-12
Top developments
Turkey secures new domestic GI registrations
On September 10, 2026, Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT) officially registered "Acıpayam Çakır Carrot" from Denizli province with a geographical indication. The announcement was made by AK Party MP Şahin Tin, highlighting the ongoing effort to protect regional agricultural products within Turkey’s domestic market. This follows a similar registration on September 9, 2026, for the "Karapınar Carpet" in Konya, certified by the Karapınar Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a "mahreç" (origin) indication. These moves reinforce Turkey's strategy of building a robust internal registry before seeking EU recognition, where 81 Turkish products currently await approval.
US-Mexico trade talks stalled by EU cheese name demands
The dispute over European geographical indications remains a critical bottleneck in US-Mexico trade negotiations, impacting a $1 billion export market. As of late August 2026, Washington continues to challenge EU protections that reserve names like "feta" and "parmesan" for products originating only in Greece and Italy, respectively. The US argues these terms are generic, while the EU insists on strict PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) enforcement. This friction affects not just direct EU-US trade but also third-country agreements where the EU seeks to export its GI standards.
Greek and Cypriot producers target US market
In response to trade barriers and to build brand equity, Greece and Cyprus are actively promoting their PDO products in the United States. In late August 2026, industry representatives participated in the Americas Food & Beverage Show in Miami, featuring tastings of Cypriot Halloumi PDO and Greek kiwifruit. This initiative aims to bypass political disputes by fostering direct commercial relationships with American importers and hospitality buyers, emphasizing the premium quality associated with their protected designations.
Local view
Turkish local media continues to frame GI registrations as essential for regional economic development and cultural preservation. Afyon Türkeli Gazetesi reported on September 9 that trademark attorney Aziz Aslan criticized Afyonkarahisar for lagging behind neighboring provinces in brand creation, urging local chambers of commerce to take more active roles in securing trademarks and GIs. This highlights a growing awareness among local stakeholders that domestic protection is the first step toward international recognition.
Context & numbers
Turkey currently has 81 products awaiting EU geographical indication registration, including high-profile items like Antep Baklavası and Malatya Apricots. While domestic registrations continue to flow—such as the recent carrot and carpet certifications—the EU queue remains a significant diplomatic and economic hurdle. The US-Mexico trade dispute underscores the global scale of the conflict, with the US challenging the EU's attempt to extend its GI framework into North American markets.
On the radar
- UNESCO Baklava Decision: The long-running dispute between Turkey, Greece, and Azerbaijan over the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage listing of baklava/pakhlava remains unresolved. No new official announcements were made this week, but the dossier submitted by Ankara (seeking inscription under "Baklava") is still pending review.
- EU-US Negotiations: Watch for any breakthroughs in the US-Mexico trade talks, as the resolution could set a precedent for future transatlantic trade deals regarding food naming conventions.
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