Suruç Narı

Suruç Narı is a pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) grown within the borders of Şanlıurfa province in southeastern Turkey. The European Commission entered it in the register of protected designations of origin on 2 June 2023, by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1063, published in Official Journal L 143. The application was submitted by Suruç Municipality (Suruç Belediyesi). No statement of opposition was received following publication of the Single Document in OJ C 51 on 10 February 2023. The Turkish domestic GI registration is No: 812, registered 27 July 2021, protected as of 17 July 2020.

Şanlıurfa province is part of the historical Fertile Crescent, known in antiquity as Mesopotamia, where pomegranate cultivation has been practised for centuries. The specification states that Suruç Narı is believed to have been brought to the region from the Babylonian gardens. Şanlıurfa is identified in the specification as one of Turkey's primary genetic resources for pomegranate. At the time of the PDO application, 17,250 decares were reserved for pomegranate cultivation in the province, with 884,909 fruit trees and a production volume of 10,016 tonnes.

What makes it distinct

Suruç Narı is characterised by a yellow main background skin colour with red and pink hues, medium-thin and elastic peel, large and easily separated grains (constituting approximately 60% of the fruit by weight), and a tart-sweet flavour. The specification identifies several properties that distinguish it from other pomegranate varieties grown in Turkey: thin and elastic skin, yellowish skin colour, easily granulated arils, and a sweet-sour taste and aroma.

The most significant chemical differentiator is citric acid content: Suruç Narı has an average citric acid content of 10.4 ± 0.68 g/L, which the specification states is approximately ten times higher than most pomegranate varieties in Turkey. Combined with a minimum juice ratio of 45% and a minimum water-soluble solids ratio of 15%, this gives the product its characteristic balanced sweet-sour intensity.

Physical and chemical properties

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

Physical characteristics:

• Fruit weight: 250–650 g

• Shape: slightly flattened on stem and crown axis; fruit diameter/length ratio over 1

• Peel colour: yellow main background with red and pink hues

• Peel ratio: 39.4–40.3%

• Grain colour: pink to light red; soft texture

• Grain ratio: approximately 60% of fruit

Chemical and compositional properties:

• Juice ratio: minimum 45%

• Juice density: 1.072–1.075 g/cm³

• Water-soluble solids ratio: minimum 15%

• Titratable acidity (citric acid equivalents): less than 1% (sweet); 1–2% (sour)

• Total sugar content: minimum 12.8%

• Ash content: 0.52–0.55%

• pH value: 2.9–3.3

• Anthocyanin content: maximum 110 mg Cy.3 Gl/L fruit juice

• Total phenolic content: minimum 1,300 mg gallic acid/mL juice

Dominant organic acids:

• Citric acid: average 10.4 ± 0.68 g/L

• Ascorbic acid: average 6.1 ± 2.83 g/L

• Malic acid: average 0.26 ± 0.16 g/L

Dominant phenolic compounds:

• Quercetin: 52.9 ± 6.6 mg/L

• Caffeic acid: 46.2 ± 9.5 mg/L

• Catechin: 11.3 ± 3.8 mg/L

Production zone

The entire production area is within the borders of Şanlıurfa province. The province is bounded to the south by the Syrian border and to the north by Atatürk Dam Lake. The Euphrates (Fırat) river flows along the western boundary. The Birecik, Suruç, Harran and Ceylanpınar plains, including the Suruç district for which the product is named, were formed through tectonic collapse in the southern part of the province. Altitude ranges from below 500 m in the south to up to 750 m in the north.

Climate and growing conditions

Şanlıurfa has the lowest average altitude in Turkey. The continental climate predominates, with hot dry summers and relatively mild rainy winters. Average temperature in January (the coldest month) is 5.2°C; temperatures exceed 20°C from May onward; from June to August daytime temperatures regularly exceed 40°C. From March to the end of September, the area averages 177 days with mean temperatures between 20°C and 25°C, and approximately 120 days with mean temperatures above 25°C. The specification states that Suruç Narı requires approximately 25,000 degree-hours for flowering and 74,000 degree-hours for fruit ripening — conditions the Şanlıurfa climate provides.

Annual precipitation is lowest around Akçakale, Harran and Ceylanpınar counties (277–310 mm), falling primarily in winter. Snowfall is rare and snow cover does not exceed 1–2 days. Humidity in Suruç county is low relative to the province average.

Two underground aquifers exist beneath the Suruç plain, the first being 50–80 m thick and consisting of sand-gravel material. This layer accumulates excess surface water in winter and spring and releases it during the dry summer months, supplying subsurface moisture to pomegranate roots during the critical fruit development period.

Winds from the Syrian Desert deposit mineral-rich dust across Şanlıurfa's agricultural fields, contributing to soil mineral content.

Production method

Establishment: Planting pits of 40–60 cm depth and diameter are dug in autumn and filled with burnt farm manure mixed with topsoil. Planting spacing is 2–6 m (ideally 3×3 m or 3×4 m), with rows oriented north–south for ventilation and sun exposure. The pomegranate garden is established using tuberous-rooted saplings.

Pruning: In the first 2–3 years before cropping, 3–4 strong shoots are selected as main stems and topped at 50–60 cm to form a low crown. Suruç Narı generally begins cropping from the third year. Development pruning cuts old stems from the base to encourage new shoot formation, rejuvenating the tree. Productive trees are said to maintain yields for an average of 20 years before rejuvenation pruning is required.

Irrigation: Continuous soil moisture is maintained from budbreak in February–March through to the fruit formation and harvest phase in September–October. Irrigation intervals are typically 7–10 days, adjusted for soil structure. Irrigation is stopped 10–15 days before harvest to prevent skin cracking. Traditional practice determines irrigation timing by observing tree colour: darkening of the canopy signals water stress. The final irrigation before harvest is used to wash the trees and remove insects and spider webs.

Harvest: Harvest begins when the calyx segments open outward and the staminal filaments dry, starting at the end of August and continuing to mid-November. Fruit is harvested manually using scissors, with care taken not to damage the calyx. The fruit is harvested together with its attachment branch.

Storage

Suruç Narı can be stored for up to six months at approximately 6°C and 85–90% relative humidity in food-safe plastic bags, or up to seven months with modified atmosphere (MAP) applications. Without refrigeration, undamaged sorted fruit can be stored for up to two months in a cool, dry, dark environment.

Control and certification

The competent control authority named in the Register Extract is the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Şanlıurfa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry (İmambakır Mahallesi Veteriner Caddesi No.19, Haliliye/Şanlıurfa; sanliurfa@tarimorman.gov.tr; +90 414 313 27 11). The applicant and registrant is Suruç Municipality (Suruç Belediyesi), Dikili Mahallesi Atatürk Bulvarı No:2, Suruç/Şanlıurfa.

Controls cover product characteristics per specification §1.2, geographical origin per §1.3, production method per §1.5, and labelling compliance per §1.8. Traceability is provided under the one-step-forward, one-step-back principle mandated by the Turkish Food Codex. Labels must carry the designation name 'Suruç Narı', producer trade name and address, and the EU PDO logo.