Bursa Siyah İnciri / Bursa Siyahı

Bursa Siyah İnciri / Bursa Siyahı is a fresh fig produced exclusively from the Dürdane variety (Ficus carica L.) grown within specified districts and villages of Bursa province in the Marmara region of Turkey. The European Commission entered it in the register of protected designations of origin on 4 September 2024, by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2201, done at Brussels on 28 August 2024 and published in Official Journal L 2024/2201. The Single Document was published in Official Journal C/2024/2889 on 24 April 2024, under EU No: PDO-TR-02838 with an EC application date of 19 April 2022. The application was submitted by S.S. Bursa Bölgesi Köy Kalkınma ve Diğer Tarımsal Amaçlı Kooperatif Birliği (S.S. Bursa Region Village Development and Other Agricultural Purpose Cooperative Union). The Ottoman archives contain two records mentioning this fig — one from 1913 and one from 1915 — establishing the deep historical roots of the production tradition.

The PDO covers both names: 'Bursa Siyah İnciri' and 'Bursa Siyahı' (Bursa Black). The variety's English-language reputation is noted in British trade and food press, where it has been described as among the most sought-after fresh figs exported from Turkey to European markets.

What makes it distinct

The defining characteristics of Bursa Siyah İnciri / Bursa Siyahı are its exceptionally large size (fruit width 55–65mm, heavier than the average fig at 11 ± 2 fruits per kilogram), its dark purple to near-black skin, its red flesh, and its combination of high sugar content (Brix 17.00–18.50) with pronounced acidity (pH 4.50–5.00). The fruit cavity is either absent or very small, the skin is thin and easy to peel, and the flesh is firm and strongly aromatic.

Sensory analysis confirms that Bursa Siyah İnciri / Bursa Siyahı has higher fig aroma intensity, sweetness, and firmness than other figs produced in Turkey. Its large size is a direct consequence of Bursa's lower average growing-season temperature (14.6°C) compared to the Aegean and Mediterranean fig-producing regions — in higher-temperature environments, figs develop smaller size and thicker skin.

The variety is not self-pollinating. It requires caprification — a specific technique of artificial pollination using the parasitic wasp Blastophaga psenes (called ilek locally) — which Bursa producers have practised and refined over generations. The correct caprification technique is identified in the specification as the factor responsible for the variety's specific shape, size, dark purple colour, sweetness, and absent or small internal cavity.

Physical and chemical specifications

The following values are taken directly from the EU Single Document (OJ C/2024/2889, 24.4.2024) and the Book of Specification (Ares(2023)5772340):

Physical characteristics:

• Fruit width: 55.0–65.0 mm

• Fruit length: 45.0–55.0 mm

• Skin thickness: 1.2–1.8 mm

• Ostiole width: 8.0–12.0 mm

• Number of fruits per kg: 11 ± 2

• Shape: Big-round, flat (oblate)

• Skin colour: Dark purple, easy to peel

• Flesh colour: Red

• Fruit cavity: Absent or very small

Chemical characteristics:

• Brix: 17.00–18.50

• pH: 4.50–5.00

Organoleptic characteristics: Firm flesh, strongly aromatic; sweet and acidic taste; high-intensity fig aroma, sweetness, and firmness confirmed by sensory analysis as superior to other Turkish figs.

Production zone

Bursa Siyah İnciri / Bursa Siyahı is produced within specified villages of nine districts of Bursa province (Marmara region):

Gemlik: Kurtul, Muratoba, Katırlı, Hamidiye, Şükriye, Feyziye, Fındıcak, Kurşunlu. Gürsu: Kazıklı, Iğdir, Karahıdır, Dışkaya. Karacabey: Boğazköy, Çavuşköy, Taşpınar, Yeni Karaağaç, Eski Karaağaç, Orhaniye, Ikizce, Dağkadı, Yeşiller, Bayramdere, Seyran, Çeşnigir, Ballıkaya, Çamlıca, Inkaya, Muratlı, Hürriyet, Karakoca. Kestel: Barakfaki, Çataltepe, Kayacık. Mustafa Kemal Paşa: Yenice, Gündoğdu, Alpagut, Karaorman, Melik, Kösehoroz, Devecikonağı, Çardakbelen, Döllük, Çavuşköy, Çamandar, Kurşunlu, Fındıcak, Bükköy, Yoncaağaç, Eskibalçık, Karacalar, Yenibalçık, Kestelek, Çaltılıbük, Osmaniye, Kazanpınar, Doğanalan, Akçapınar, Onaç, Köreken, Killik, Incealipınarı, Uğurlupınar, Taşpınar, Dorak, Işıklar, Çömlekçi, Çamlıca, Kabulbaba, Güller, Söğütalan, Kadirçeşme, Karaoğlan, Çördük. Mudanya: Esence, Dereköy, Mesudiye, Evciler, Çamlık, Eyerci, Emirleryenicesi, Söğütpınar, Çayönü, Yalıçiftliği, Yürük Yenicesi, Zeytinbağı, Kumyaka, Hançerli, Yaman, Kaymakoba, Mirzeoba, Orhaniye, Çekrice, Yaylacık, Küçükyenice, Dedeköy, Ipekyayla, Çepni, Işıklı, Akköy, Mudanya Merkez, Güzelyalı, Altıntaş, Aydınpınar, Göynüklü, Çağrışan, Mürselköy, Ülkü, Bademli, Hasköy. Nilüfer: Gölyazı, Fadıllı, Çatalağıl, Karacaoba, Ayvaköy, Unçukuru, Akçalar, Çaylı, Konaklı, Başköy, Hasanağa, Görükle, Yolçatı, Doğanköy, Çalı, Yaylacık, Tahtalı, Badırga. Orhangazi: Orhangazi, Gemiç, Gürle, Yenigürle, Dutluca, Gölyaka, Akharem, Yeniköy, Üreğil, Çakırlı. Osmangazi: Osmangazi, Nilüfer, Aksungur, Ahmetbey, Gündoğdu, Çağlayan, Ovaakça, Dürdane, Karabalçık, Selçukgazi, Seçköy, Avdancık, Demirtaş, İsmetiye.

All production steps — including production, storage, sorting/grading, and packaging — must take place within the defined geographical area to preserve freshness, prevent damage, guarantee origin, and ensure traceability control.

Climate and geographical factors

Bursa has a sub-humid transitional climate that incorporates characteristics of the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and continental zones — acting as a climatic corridor between the two coastal regions. The annual average temperature is 14.6°C and relative humidity 68.4%. Annual rainfall averages 705mm, with sufficient and regularly distributed rainfall during the critical July–September ripening period.

The lower growing-season temperature compared to Aegean and Mediterranean fig regions is the principal climatic driver of Bursa Siyah İnciri's large fruit size and thin skin. In higher-temperature fig regions, fruit size is smaller and skin thicker. The humidity level of 68.4% is optimal: high humidity above 90% during ripening causes smaller fruit and shorter shelf life, while Bursa's moderate humidity produces larger fruit with longer shelf life.

The average wind speed is below 4.5 ms⁻¹ with NE, SE, and ENE directions — gentle enough to support good pollination and smooth fruit development without causing leaf loss, deformation, or fruit drop. The terrain is characterised by patches of plains with mountainous areas. Soils are loam-textured, non-saline, slightly alkaline, and contain varying amounts of limestone with good water retention, enabling strong-rooted fig trees to access nutrients effectively.

Production method

Variety and planting: The PDO is reserved exclusively for the Dürdane variety, a local variety of Bursa province. Seedlings must come from nurseries located within the defined geographical area to ensure genetic stability — fruit quality is directly dependent on the genetic characteristics of the local variety. Plantation density must not exceed 22 trees per decare. Mixed orchards with olive, apricot, and pomegranate trees are recommended to enhance biodiversity.

Caprification (pollination): Bursa Siyah İnciri / Bursa Siyahı is not self-pollinating. It depends on caprification — artificial pollination using the parasitic wasp Blastophaga psenes (ilek) carried inside male caprifig (ilek) fruits. Male figs are collected by hand and hung in cheesecloths, string bags, or small baskets on female trees. The process is repeated three times at one-week intervals, with old caprifigs replaced by fresh ones each time to prevent disease. A minimum of 10 caprifigs must be hung per tree. Caprification is performed from the first week of June to 10 July (extendable to mid-July in some areas of Bursa), when fig fruits reach 1.0–1.5 cm in size. Correct pollination is the factor responsible for the variety's characteristic shape, size, dark colour, sweetness, and small or absent fruit cavity.

Fertilisation: Based on soil analysis, with a complete soil analysis and nitrogen balance required at least every two years. Organic fertilisation (manure or compost, minimum 4–5 T/decare) annually or at least every two years, applied in winter or early spring. Mineral NPK fertilisation according to soil analysis. Recommended quantities: nitrogen 0.75 kg/tree, phosphorus 1 kg/tree, potassium 2.5 kg/tree (adjusted for Bursa's calcium-rich soils).

Crop protection: Sustainable approach — bottle traps against drosophila, sulphur against mites (Tetranychus sp, Aceria ficus), Bacillus thuringiensis against Anthophila nemorada. Chemical pesticides permitted only as an exception for identified severe attacks, using only authorised products not on Turkish Ministry prohibited lists or WHO Class 1A/1B lists.

Irrigation: Allowed as needed; best period is July–September. Oversupply of water damages fruit quality by producing fragile fruits.

Pruning: Annual pruning between February and April to remove dried, broken, and diseased branches and ensure adequate sunlight exposure. Intensive pruning is avoided as it reduces yield and quality.

Harvest: From early August to end of October. Figs for export are harvested when colour is still quite green; figs for the domestic market are harvested at full dark purple colour. Harvest is by hand before 11 a.m., with harvesters wearing gloves. A key technique is retaining a part of the fig stalk — the button — which prevents water loss and extends shelf life. Fruits in contact with soil are rejected.

Sorting, storage and packaging: After harvest, fruit is sorted visually at farm or cooperative level. Sorted figs are stored at +2°C. Early-harvest export figs can be stored for up to 25 days; mature figs for no more than 10 days. Packaging is in carton, plastic, or wood boxes.

Control and certification

The competent control authority listed in the EU register is the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Food and Control (Gıda ve Kontrol Genel Müdürlüğü), Eskişehir Yolu 9. Km. Lodumlu/ANKARA; +90 312 258 76 10; www.gkgm.gov.tr. The Ministry is authorised under Article 23 paragraph 2 of Food Codex law No. 5996 to carry out controls verifying compliance with the PDO specification.

The certification is held by S.S. Bursa Bölgesi Köy Kalkınma ve Diğer Tarımsal Amaçlı Kooperatif Birliği, which maintains operator authorisation records, production and stock registers, and annual PDO production and commercialisation declarations. Each batch is traceable from harvest through commercialisation via a code number or digital code system.