Assossiation Styrian pumpkin seed oil PGI

By project SMEOrigin

Published on 26 March 2024

Austria

About this good practice

Pumpkin seed oil is one of the best-known protected foods with European origin protection. The protection of origin provides important guidance for everyday shopping. The various control systems not only make it difficult for free riders to deceive consumers through misuse and imitation. Consumers who value local products can therefore be assured of the origin and quality of the products.
Styrian pumpkin seed oil is closely linked to Styria and has its origins and development there. In order to protect the regionality and the typical speciality, the EU Commission approved the protected geographical indication "Styrian pumpkin seed oil" back in 1996. This recognition makes "Styrian pumpkin seed oil PGI" one of the best controlled and most exclusive specialities with European origin protection. According to the current Regulation (EC) No. 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs, the designation "Styrian pumpkin seed oil" may only be used for oil that fulfils certain criteria. These include that the seeds used come from the pumpkin genus Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca, that the pressing takes place exclusively in oil mills in certain areas of Styria and Burgenland, that the traditional production process is adhered to and that it is 100% pure pumpkin seed oil from first pressing. The authorised areas for pressing the oil include Styria, Burgenland and Lower Austria.

Resources needed

The Austrian Patent Office is responsible for registration, while the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection is responsible for controls. The provincial governor is responsible for compliance with the specifications.

Evidence of success

900 pumpkin seed producers and around 20 oil mills joined forces in 1998 to form the "Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil PGI" producers' ring in order to safeguard and protect this regionality and the high quality of this top product. The producer ring is now called the "Gemeinschaft Steirisches Kürbiskernöl g.g.A." and has grown to over 3,600 members (including 40 oil mills).
In total, there are already around 1210 protected foodstuffs with a geographical reference, 17 of which are in Austria.

Potential for learning or transfer

For the manufacturers themselves, origin protection brings added value to the product and consequently also an increase in sales. Protection means that more customers can be reached and the product becomes more visible. Various advertising materials are made available to all members of the associations. Testing and breeding activities are being intensified in cooperation with the Styrian Chamber of Agriculture in order to make the crops fit for the future. Pumpkin seed oil farms also have the opportunity to take part in quality assurance measures such as the Styrian regional award. Award-winning farms are allowed to advertise their award, which further increases the value of the product for customers. Ultimately, the aim is to work together to preserve the authenticity and speciality of traditional products for future generations. The decisive factor for success is the pride and conviction of the business itself to be part of the sustainable whole.