Half a Century with Hazelnuts:
A Story of Responsibility

If granted the blessing of Allah, in two years, I will have completed half a century devoted to hazelnuts. What began as a one-man venture established by a university student—who had no prior connection to the Black Sea region or the hazelnut industry—in order to help his finances in Germany, has evolved into a journey whose destination today is quite a remarkable one.

Pioneering Technology and Innovation

Our perspective on the industry has never been limited to merely cracking the shell of a hazelnut; rather, it has been to process it at the highest possible level to create maximum added value. Today, we reap the rewards of this vision through our portfolio of more than eight international patents. Through our B.E.S.T. Program, we also take pride in leading solutions that address our country’s gaps in modern agricultural practices.

Ayrıca B.E.S.T Programımızla, ülkemizin modern tarım konusundaki eksikliklerini giderecek çözümlere önderlik etmenin gururunu yaşıyoruz.

A Global Brand: BALSU

Today, BALSU stands among the world’s leading players in its sector, supported by its state-of-the-art facilities, advanced processing capacity, and rigorous quality management systems. Since 1978, the trust-based relationships we have built with our clients have made us a preferred partner of the world’s most distinguished chocolate and confectionery manufacturers.

Over the years, we have taken on Top leadership roles in numerous institutions—from the Istanbul Exporters’ Associations (İİB) to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC)—and have worked tirelessly to advocate for Turkish hazelnuts on the global stage.

Ancak bu 50 yıllık süreçte, en büyük sancımız, sürekli anlatmaya çalıştığımız bazı yapısal hatalardır:

Structural Challenges

Yet, throughout this 50-year journey, one of our greatest concerns has been a big structural challenge we have consistently sought to address in Turkiye:

Productivity

Social Responsibility and Ethical Agriculture

Beyond being one of the sector’s largest organizations by revenue, we are also a pioneer in social responsibility initiatives. We are the unwavering advocates for the elimination of child labor. Through projects we have sustained for over a decade, we have contributed to improving the lives of tens of thousands of children.

In a country with more than 460,000 producers, we have initiated also the journey toward 100% traceability in hazelnut production.

In our country, where there are more than 460,000 producers, we have launched the 0 traceability journey for hazelnuts.

This initiative will not only elevate quality to the highest level but also serve as our most effective tool in eliminating child labor.

Global Strength and New Horizons

Chile Expansion: As of this month, by establishing one of the most significant processing facilities in Chile—a leading competitor country—we have further reinforced Turkey’s mark on the global hazelnut trade without the barriers of seasons.

Public Offering and Responsibility: With our transition to a publicly listed company, we are fully aware that our responsibilities have grown even greater. For us, success is not a place to rest, but a continuous step forward.

Strategic Innovation: Achieving a global first, under our HENDEX brand, we have succeeded in producing Activated Carbon—of strategic importance to our country—from hazelnut shells. Within this year, we plan to commence initial deliveries, meeting domestic demand while also targeting export markets.