Kars applies for EU geographical indication status for kashar
Each year, the eastern province of Kars yields 19,000 tons of its signature ‘kashar’ and ‘gruyere’ cheeses.
Approximately 19,000 metric tons of “Kars kashar” and “gruyere cheeses” are produced annually in Kars, one of Türkiye’s leading dairy-producing regions known for its vast pastures, rich vegetation and strong livestock industry.
The province is home to 66 dairy processing facilities that manufacture milk and dairy products. Provincial teams from the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry continue to inspect production facilities to enhance the brand value of Kars kashar and gruyere while also overseeing the application process for EU geographical indication (GI) status for Kars kashar.
Enver Aydın, provincial director of agriculture and forestry, said that Kars’ meadows and highland pastures are home to more than 1,600 species of wild plants. Of these, 70 to 100 species are endemic, while 12 are endemic species found only in Kars.
