Do Geographical Indications Enhance Export Outcomes? An Export Performance Assessment of GI-Certified Turkish Fruits and Vegetables

This study examines whether Geographical Indication (GI) certification is associated with improved export performance measured by export value, volume, and unit price for five Turkish horticultural products (cherries, pomegranates, grapes, beans, and watermelons) during 2020–2024. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether GI certification contributes to measurable improvements in export competitiveness, particularly in terms of value, quantity, and unit price, and to determine the extent to which these effects vary across different product types and certification durations. Drawing on secondary data from official trade databases, the analysis employs descriptive statistics, trend-based regression, and comparative time-series visualization to assess post-GI dynamics. Results indicate that GI effects are product-specific and sensitive to the duration of certification: cherries, with long-standing GI protection (since 2004), consistently achieve the highest unit prices, suggesting durable premiums; grapes and pomegranates (recently certified) show early signs of price differentiation despite volume variability; beans and watermelons exhibit limited or no improvement in export metrics, implying that GI status alone is insufficient for competitiveness. Overall, GI labeling can enhance trade performance when paired with supportive market strategies (branding, quality assurance, international promotion) and sufficient time to mature. Given the short horizon, lack of firm-level data, and absence of formal counterfactuals, findings are exploratory rather than causal.