Kırıkhan Carrot

Kırıkhan Carrot is an agricultural product produced in the Kırıkhan district of Hatay Province and registered as a geographical indication by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office. The product is typically cultivated using local ecotype carrot seeds and Nantes variety seeds. The geographical link of the Kırıkhan Carrot stems from its significant role in the district’s agricultural economy.

Product Characteristics

The Kırıkhan Carrot has a uniform shape and a bright orange color. It is distinguished by its high dry matter content. Physically, its length ranges from 14 to 17 cm and its diameter from 2 to 4 cm. The weight of a single carrot varies between 45 and 120 grams. The soluble dry matter content (Brix) measures between 8 and 10.

When analyzed chemically, the magnesium level is found to be between 109.25 and 115.9 mg/100 g, a value significantly higher than that of other orange carrot varieties.

Production Method

In the production of Kırıkhan Carrot, seeds may be sourced from the previous year’s harvest or certified seeds. The production process consists of the following key steps:

• Seed Production and Sowing: High-quality carrots are selected for seed production. Seeds are sown at a depth of 2 to 3 cm below the soil surface, with row spacing of 70–80 cm and plant spacing of 30 cm, leaving a leaf stalk of 2–3 cm. Harvesting is carried out gradually as seed formation occurs in stages. The hairy covering of the seeds must be removed. Sowing is conducted between 1 August and 15 October. After soil preparation, seeds are sown at a depth of 2.5 to 3 cm using a seeder, with 600 to 800 seeds per decare. Row spacing is maintained at 25–30 cm or 25–40 cm, and plant spacing at 5–12 cm.
• Thinning and Maintenance: Thinning is carried out after germination is complete and the plants have developed 2–3 true leaves. Care is taken to avoid damaging the root. After thinning, weeds are removed manually.
• Fertilization and Irrigation: Before sowing, NPK or DAP fertilizers are applied as basal fertilizer according to soil analysis. Nitrate-based nitrogen fertilization is applied at the end of September or beginning of October. As the plants grow and the roots reach the size of a pencil lead, foliar fertilizers containing potassium, boron, and zinc are applied. Potassium-based fertilizers are applied once or twice approximately one month before harvest. Irrigation is maintained using drip or sprinkler methods in the region until rainfall begins.
• Disease and Pest Control: The main diseases are Botrytis, Rhizoctonia, and carrot mildew. The most significant pests are carrot fly, nematodes, and moles. Only authorized pesticides may be used.
• Harvest and Storage: Harvesting begins at the beginning of December and continues until mid-June. Harvested carrots are stored at temperatures of 3–5 °C, and storage must not exceed seven months.

All production stages of the Kırıkhan Carrot, which has a geographical indication, must be carried out within the geographical boundaries of the Kırıkhan district of Hatay Province as specified in the registration.

Geographical Boundary and Monitoring

The geographical boundary of the product is the Kırıkhan district of Hatay Province.

Monitoring activities are conducted by a monitoring body established under the coordination of the Kırıkhan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This body consists of at least three members, each an expert in the product, representing the Kırıkhan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Hatay Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Faculty of Agriculture at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University.

Monitoring is carried out regularly at least twice a year, and at any time if necessary or in response to complaints. During monitoring, the following criteria are applied:

• The physical characteristics of the Kırıkhan Carrot,
• The inputs used during production,
• Storage conditions,
• The correct use of the product name and geographical indication emblem.

The monitoring body may obtain support or services from experts employed by public or private institutions during monitoring. The registering institution is responsible for initiating legal procedures to protect the rights associated with the geographical indication.