Another Polish Symbol Under Strict EU Protection: Brussels Grants Prestige Status to Fruit from the Northwestern Region
The European Commission has officially granted Protected Geographical Indication status to apples from southern Krajna, making them Poland’s 50th product in the EU quality system starting...
The European Commission has officially granted Protected Geographical Indication status to apples from southern Krajna, making them Poland’s 50th product in the EU quality system starting August 4, 2026.
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EU Protection for Traditional Polish Goods
An EU protective umbrella extends over another prominent traditional product from Poland. The European Commission has made an official decision granting Polish fruit the prestigious status of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). From August 4, 2026, these exceptional specialties from southern Krajna are subject to strict legal protection across all European Union member states. This is a breakthrough moment, as this product has officially become the 50th Polish item accepted into the EU market quality system.
Final Verdict from Brussels: Exclusivity and Rigorous Production Standards
The European Commission’s decision represents a fundamental legal change for the food market. Starting August 4, 2026, the name “jabÅ‚ka krajeÅ„skie” has been reserved, meaning an absolute ban on its use by entities without appropriate certifications. It may be used exclusively by apple growers operating in the strictly designated geographical area of southern Krajna who rigorously meet the criteria contained in the product specification.
As the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development emphasizes, geographical protection systems constitute an institutional barrier protecting domestic producers from unfair competition, counterfeiting, and attempts to misappropriate recognized micro-regional traditions.
– The registration of “jabÅ‚ka krajeÅ„skie” is a success for producers who have cared for the high quality of their fruit for years and consistently built the region’s brand. EU quality systems allow us to protect what is most valuable in Polish food – its authenticity, tradition, and close connection to its place of origin. This is also real support for local producers and an opportunity for even better promotion of Polish food on domestic and foreign markets – indicated Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Stefan Krajewski.
Unique Physicochemical Parameters
EU registration under the PGI system is not granted without basis – it requires proving a hard scientific relationship between the specifics of a given area and the unique properties of the raw material. In the case of jabłka krajeńskie, this refers to fresh Class I dessert fruit, covering the Gala, Golden Delicious, Red Jonaprince (Jonagold), and Szampion varieties.
Quality tests have proven that fruit originating from this region is characterized by specific attributes.
A Milestone in the EU Register
Jabłka krajeńskie have formally become the 50th Polish product entered into the EU register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications, as well as traditional specialties guaranteed.
Introducing goods into the elite EU registration system is not only prestige, but also a real economic impetus. The Protected Geographical Indication raises the market value of the fruit, facilitates entry into premium retail chains across Europe, and gives local growers strong support in building an export brand. The registration is the culmination of a multi-year documentation process conducted by local apple-growing associations and serves as a model for utilizing the legal and economic tools of the European Union to protect domestic agricultural potential.
The Krajna Region
Krajna is a historical and ethnographic region located in northwestern Poland, on the border of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Greater Poland, and Pomeranian Voivodeships. It extends mainly between the Brda and Noteć rivers, and its most important towns include Sępólno Krajeńskie, Więcbork, Nakło nad Notecią, and Złotów. This region is characterized by a picturesque landscape of lakes, forests, and fields, as well as a rich history and strongly preserved folk traditions.
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