Hüyük Çileği

Hüyük Çileği is a strawberry grown exclusively in the Hüyük district of Konya province in the southwest-central part of Turkey. The European Commission entered it in the register of protected designations of origin on 3 September 2024, by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2190, published in Official Journal L 2024/2190. The application was submitted jointly by Hüyük İlçe Tarım ve Orman Müdürlüğü (Hüyük Provincial Directorate of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) and Hüyük Organik Çilek Üreticileri Birliği (Hüyük Organic Strawberry Producers Union). No statement of opposition was received following publication of the Single Document in OJ C/2024/2964 on 25 April 2024.

The PDO covers fresh fruit of four strawberry varieties and their variants: Albion, San Andreas, Sweet Ann and Portola. All must be grown and harvested exclusively within the Hüyük district. Hüyük Çileği is notable for its organic production pathway: where organically grown, preparations must comply with organic farming regulations, and organic production is formally recognised within the specification framework.

What makes it distinct

The specification identifies two defining characteristics of Hüyük Çileği: very strong flavour and aroma, and exceptional sweetness compared to strawberries from other regions. These properties are attributed to the district's microclimate, shaped by the proximity of Lake Beyşehir to the south and west, and the Sultan Mountains to the north and east.

The microclimate maintains summer humidity at a minimum of 60%, which slows moisture loss during ripening and prevents sudden maturation. This controlled ripening ensures a balanced ratio of glucose, sucrose and fructose, keeping acidity at normal levels while allowing full sugar development. Temperatures between 30–40°C from June to September promote phenolic compound production (contributing to deep red colour) and sugar accumulation, giving the fruit its characteristic sweetness.

The soil is described as poor in heavy metals and low in environmental pollutants, meaning Hüyük Çileği does not accumulate heavy metals — a quality attribute confirmed in the specification.

Physical and chemical properties

The following values are taken directly from the PDO specification and Single Document:

Physical characteristics:

• Shape: well-shaped and uniform

• Size: medium-large; 20–40 mm diameter, 20–40 mm length

• Weight: 20–26 g (average 23 g)

• Firmness: medium-firm

Organoleptic characteristics:

• Appearance: bright red to light red, consistent inside and out

• Texture: medium-firm, fresh and juicy

• Taste and aroma: balanced acid-sugar ratio, very sweet; pleasant and aromatic

Chemical characteristics:

• Acidity: approximately 0.91 g/100 g

• Sugar/acid ratio: approximately 8.5

Production zone

The geographical area is the Hüyük district of Konya province. The district sits in the southwest-central part of Turkey and is bordered by Lake Beyşehir — one of Turkey's largest freshwater lakes — to the south and west, and by the Sultan Mountains and their extensions to the north and east. Small streams carry rainwater from the northern and eastern mountainous terrain toward Beyşehir Lake, sustaining soil moisture levels in the district.

Soil conditions

Hüyük district soils have a pH of 6.5–7.5, low salinity, and a sandy clay loam texture. The structure is medium-textured with approximately equal proportions of sand, clay and silt, making the soil easy to work. Water-holding and air capacity are good; drainage and water permeability are sufficient. The specification notes that the soil is low in heavy metals and environmental pollutants. Regular application of farm manure in each planting cycle enriches organic matter content, which the specification links directly to fruit size.

Production method

Soil preparation: In autumn, fields that have not been cultivated the preceding year are ploughed to approximately 30 cm depth. Fertiliser is applied based on prior soil analysis, followed by secondary tillage to 10 cm with a cultivator-harrow combination.

Planting: Seedlings are planted by hand in October–November and April–May. Row spacing is 80–100 cm; spacing within rows is 20–40 cm; planting depth is 5–6 cm. Seedlings are replaced with certified disease-free stock every four years. During productive years, producers may propagate replacement seedlings from stolon branches.

Crop maintenance: Weed control is carried out by hoeing once or twice. Irrigation, spraying and fertilisation are performed on schedule. Branch cleaning is done when the plant begins to branch. Where organic production is pursued, only preparations compliant with organic farming regulations are used.

Harvest: Harvest runs from June through September — the same months when at least two of the three annual inspections are required. Harvested fruit is collected by producers and delivered to collection points.

Post-harvest handling

The specification mandates a specific cold chain protocol: strawberries must be rapidly pre-chilled at +2°C for 20 minutes immediately after harvest, then stored at +4°C. Products intended for fresh consumption are packed in 0.5 kg, 1 kg, 2.5 kg and 4 kg crates and plastic containers according to demand. The Hüyük Çileği identifying logo must be affixed to all packages.

Control and certification

The competent control authority named in the Register Extract is Hüyük Provincial Directorate of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Bahçelievler Mah. Hükümet Cad. No:16, 42690 Hüyük, Konya; huyuk@tarimorman.gov.tr; +90 332 543 11 50). Inspections are conducted three times per year, with at least two inspections taking place during the June–September harvest and export window. The inspection authority is formed under the coordination of Hüyük District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry with participation from Hüyük Organic Strawberry Producers Union.

Inspections cover: strawberry varieties used, production method, physical and organoleptic characteristics, and logo use. Chemical characteristics are analysed at Konya Food Control Laboratory Directorate when complaints are received or additional verification is required. Producers must be registered in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Farmer Registration System to produce and export Hüyük Çileği.