This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within three months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Söke Pamuğu’

EU No: PGI-TR-03016 – 2.10.2023

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name(s)

‘Söke Pamuğu’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Türkiye

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 2.14. Cotton

3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies

‘Söke Pamuğu’ is the raw cotton fibre cultivated in the Söke region. It is obtained from the following varieties: Gloria, Claudia, Carmen, Deltapine, Julia, Lydia, Beyaz Altın, DP396, Famosa and Nazilli 84.

Table 1

Characteristic features of ‘Söke Pamuğu’

CHARACTERISTICS	VALUE
Cotton yield (kg/ha)	460 -550
Fibre length (mm)	28 -32
Micronaire value	3,9 -4,7
Fibre tensile strength (g/tex)	29 -37
Fibre maturity (%)	0,86 -0,87
Fibre length uniformity (%)	84 -86
Fibre yellowness value (+b)	7 -10
Colour grade	(21 -1 )-(41 -1 )
Trash count in fibre-(TrCnt)	9 -63
Short fibre content (%)	6 -8
Long fibre content (%)	83 -87
Fibre brightness degree (Rd)	76 -87
Lint cover (%)	3 -6
Flexibility index	125 -185
Moisture content (%)	7 -8,5

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

The steps that must take place within the specified geographical area for the production of ‘Söke Pamuğu’ are listed below:

—	Seed selection and procurement

—	Soil preparation

—

Planting

—	Irrigation and fertilization

—	Plant maintenance (excluding harvesting)

—	Harvesting

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

—

3.6   Specific rules concerning the labelling of the product the registered name refers to

The PGI logo must be printed on the packaging. If it cannot be used on the packaging, the PGI logo must be visible in the sales area.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area for the production of ‘Söke Pamuğu’ is the entire territory of the District of Söke in the province of Aydın, Türkiye.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Söke Pamuğu is cultivated in the Söke region, using a diverse range of cotton seeds (Gloria, Claudia, Carmen, Deltapine, Julia, Lydia, Beyaz Altın, DP396, Famosa and Nazilli 84). It has a diminished yellowing factor, a lustrous appearance and extended fibres. The resulting yarns from Söke Pamuğu have fine and robust characteristics.

In regions where cotton is grown in Türkiye, temperatures reach their highest levels in June and July. Cotton plants in other regions are adversely affected by high temperatures. The prevailing summer Meltem winds in the Söke district accelerate evaporation and transpiration in plants. These winds reduce soil moisture, thereby mitigating the risk of plant diseases and promoting plant growth. Wind conditions in the Söke district are generally described as mild and gentle. Due to its more inland location compared with coastal areas, it is less influenced by the sea. Consequently, winds in Söke are typically light and do not reach high speeds. Meltem winds are often felt during the summer months, especially in the afternoons and evenings. These winds have a cooling effect and slightly lower temperatures, and prevent problems related to temperature stress in the plant.

The infrequent frosts in the Söke region do not harm the plants and therefore do not decrease cotton production yield. Cotton cultivated in the Aegean, Çukurova and South-Eastern Anatolian regions is affected by low humidity levels and high temperatures. Therefore, fibre length, micronaire value, fibre tensile strength, fibre maturity, fibre length uniformity, fibre yellowness value (+b) and colour grade values are higher in Söke Pamuğu than in other regions.

Söke Pamuğu is closely associated with the soil structure of the Söke district. Soil structure is a significant factor that influences the characteristics of the cotton plant. Well-drained, moisture-retaining and fertile soils support the root development of the cotton plant and ensure healthy growth. The soil pH ranges from 6,5 to 7,55. The high content of macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil increases the ginning yield of Söke Pamuğu and prevents the formation of undesirable yellow colour in cotton.

Seed planting for Söke Pamuğu takes place in the last week of April. The harvesting period occurs 150-155 days later, during the first week of October. Harvesting in October ensures that the colour grade of Söke Pamuğu falls within the range of 21-1 and 41-1. This in turn results in high-quality cotton yarn of excellent colour and quality.

The annual average temperature in the Söke district is 17,4°C. Temperatures are above 20 °C in June (when boll formation occurs), above 25 °C in July (the flowering period) and above 30 °C in August (the period of boll development). Söke Pamuğu is not adversely affected by temperature stress. The bolls fully open during the harvesting period, when the temperature drops to 15 °C. The complete opening of bolls during harvesting influences the low yellowness value of Söke Pamuğu.

Annual rainfall varies between 450 mm and 575 mm in the Söke district. This amount of rainfall provides optimal growth and productivity for Söke Pamuğu. Irrigation management and monitoring of rainfall are therefore crucial to meeting the water needs of the plant. During the growth stage of Söke Pamuğu (in June), the root length extends to a depth of 15 cm into the soil. In this period of reduced rainfall, the required amount of water is approximately 40-60 mm. Producers irrigate 2-3 times during this time. Care is taken to ensure that water does not directly touch the plants during irrigation, because this helps protect the plants from diseases. Additionally, in cotton production, excessive irrigation is generally believed to lead to a decrease in product quality. By carefully managing irrigation practices and considering rainfall levels, farmers can ensure that Söke Pamuğu receives adequate moisture for its growth and development. This way, product quality does not decrease. This experience enhances cotton and consequently yarn quality. There is usually little rainfall in Söke in July and August. This situation enhances product quality due to reduced humidity.

The highest fibre length reaches its peak when the night temperature is 18-20 °C (depending on the genotype). In the Söke district, cotton formation is achieved around the 70th-75th days and cotton fibres form in June and July when the night average temperatures are around 19-23 °C. Daytime average temperatures are 30-35 °C in July and August. This condition results in Söke Pamuğu having a longer fibre length than the Turkish averages. Fibre fineness is proportional to length, increasing as the length increases. Fibre length provides information about how cotton can be used in the textile industry. The impact levels on quality vary according to the spinning methods applied to fibre length. Söke Pamuğu has a maximum fibre length of 32 mm and a fineness of 3,9-4,7 micrometres. If we classify cotton fibre length, it can be classified as ‘quite long staple’ based on length class.

Quality parameters of cotton, such as colour and micronaire, are more influenced by environmental conditions and cultivation techniques than by the variety’s genetic structure. In particular, the environmental impact on colour grade and fibre fineness is significantly high.

After length, fineness is one of the most sought-after characteristics in cotton. As fineness increases, yarn number increases and irregularity decreases. Yarns made from fine fibres have more strength and uniformity than those made from thick fibres. The fineness of Söke Pamuğu is 3,9-4,7 μg/inch.

Cotton production has become a tradition in the Söke district. Cotton cultivation has been practised in the district since the year 1700. In the 1830s, the sails of Ottoman ships were woven from yarns produced from ‘Söke Pamuğu’.

Between 1950 and 1980, there was a significant rural-to-urban migration in Türkiye, leading to a rapid decline in the population of villages. However, the income level has remained stable in the Söke district, thanks to cotton production, and there has been no significant population mobility.

The Söke Pamuk Festival is an annual traditional event in the Söke district. The festival typically takes place between 1 and 6 October. This event celebrates Söke’s cotton production tradition, brings cotton producers together and emphasises the region’s cultural richness.

The Söke Pamuk Festival may host various activities, including field trips to cotton fields, cotton harvesting demonstrations, concerts, exhibitions, tasting of local dishes, folk dancing and other cultural events. The festival is as a meeting point for cotton producers, local residents and visitors, and introduces the region’s cotton industry and culture.

Reference to the publication of the specification

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(1)   OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/1151/oj