Labeling Quality or Quantity? The Differential Impact of Geographical Indications on Export Performance in Turkish Agri‐Food Products

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of geographical indication (GI) certification on the export performance of Turkish agri‐food products by analyzing both trade volume and unit value dynamics. Drawing on monthly data from 2000 to 2024 across 22 GI‐certified products, the research employs product‐level regressions, fixed‐effects panel models with trait interactions, and Difference‐in‐Differences estimation with Goodman–Bacon decomposition. The results provide robust evidence that GI certification significantly improves export performance, with certified products showing substantial increases in both export volumes and unit prices. However, the effects are strongly heterogeneous across product types. The benefits in export volumes are concentrated in goods with high quality observability and product differentiation, while commoditized and storable products exhibit limited or even negative price responses. Furthermore, the study reveals that GI‐labeled products demonstrate greater trade resilience during external shocks, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic, by preserving price premiums despite temporary drops in export volume. These findings underscore that the effectiveness of GI schemes is contingent on product characteristics and market structures. The study contributes to the literature by offering a trait‐based explanation of origin‐labeling outcomes and provides strategic policy insights for enhancing GI effectiveness in emerging economies.