Geographical indication in local and rural development: Research of Tokat Zile grape molasses

The main purpose of the study is to measure the awareness and attitude and preferences of grape producers and consumers towards geographical indication in Tokat city, where made intensive viticulture and which is rich in terms of culture. At the same time to investigate the socio-economic status of the enterprise producing geographically marked grape molasses and their contributions to the region. For this purpose, 96 grape producers and 270 consumers were surveyed. Since there is only one company in the research region that produces geo-marked zile grape molasses it was only possible to interview with this company. 39.58% of the producers stated that they know the geographical indication. At the same time, 42.71% of them stated that there is an increase in grape production. It is determined that 83.33% of the producers know that zile grape molasses is a geographically marked product of Tokat province. When consumers were asked about the geographically marked products of Tokat, it was determined that 71.85% of them knew that zile molasses was a geographically marked product of Tokat. During the interview with the company, it was determined that the geographical indication affected positively the company in all aspects. As a result, after the geographical sign registration, Zile grape molasses is more well known and its market share has increased. It caused increase in income by increasing the production of producers. On the other hand, it was determined that the consumers generally think that traditional features of the products are guaranteed by the geographical sign registration. Consequently, zile grape molasses, which received geographical indication, was found important in terms of sustainability in rural development.