Çatak Walnut

Çatak walnut is a native walnut variety grown in the Çatak district of Türkiye’s Van province, known for its thin shell, large kernels, and delicious flavor. On 23 August 2021, the Van Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry submitted an application for geographical indication protection for Çatak walnut to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, and the application was officially published and accepted in the same day’s bulletin (No. 107). As a result, “Çatak walnut” has gained legal protection under geographical indication.

Geographical Indication Registration Process

Following initiatives by the Van Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, an application for geographical indication registration of Çatak walnut was successfully completed. In August 2021, the official announcement confirmed that Çatak walnut had been registered under geographical indication. According to information published in the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office’s Bulletin on Geographical Indications and Traditional Product Names, the registration process involves scientific and legal verification of the product’s uniqueness and its intrinsic link to the region.

This registration ensures the protection of Çatak walnut’s brand value both domestically and in international markets. It also prevents unfair competition and provides consumers with confidence regarding the product’s authentic origin.

Distinctive Characteristics of Çatak Walnut

Çatak walnut is a variety cultivated exclusively in the Çatak district of Van province, possessing unique qualities derived from the region’s specific climate and soil conditions. It distinguishes itself from other walnut varieties through its distinctive flavor, hard shell, and plump kernel. It is cultivated using traditional methods passed down from generation to generation by local producers, ensuring the preservation of its quality.

According to the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture, the distinguishing features of Çatak walnut are as follows:

• The kernel color is typically white, light yellow, or other shades of yellow.
• The kernel separates easily from the shell.
• The shell has medium smoothness, and its quality characteristics remain stable for an extended period after drying.
• Due to its high oil content, it is particularly preferred in the pastry industry.

These characteristics are directly linked to environmental factors such as moist soil and continental climate, which influence the product’s distinctive color, taste, yield, and oil content.

Local Development and Agricultural Investments

Between 2021 and 2024, under the coordination of the Çatak District Governorate, the “Project for the Expansion and Improvement of Walnut Production” was implemented.

Under this project: Walnut orchards were established on a total area of 50 decares across five separate neighborhoods. Modern saplings were planted with a 70 percent contribution from the Eastern Anatolia Project (DAP), and drip irrigation and perimeter fencing systems were installed.

Technical staff from the District Governorate and the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture monitored the implementation process from start to finish, providing advisory support to producers. These investments aimed to enhance the quality and productivity of Çatak walnut cultivation.

Preservation of Cultural Heritage

The geographical indication protection of Çatak walnut is not only an economic achievement but also ensures the continuity of a cultural heritage. Local production techniques, traditional methods, and region-specific agricultural knowledge are preserved within the registration framework and transmitted to future generations.