
One of Türkiye’s largest industrial and exporting companies, Balsu Gıda continues to process hazelnuts at its facilities in Hendek and Ordu. In addition to its production centers, the company operates sales and management offices in Istanbul, Oregon (USA), Munich (Germany), and Hong Kong, supplying high-quality Turkish hazelnuts to the domestic and international food industry, particularly the chocolate and confectionery sectors.
Türkiye’s 2024 Hazelnut Exports Reach $2.6 Billion
Commenting on Türkiye’s hazelnut exports in 2024, Balsu Gıda CEO Ahmet Bilge Anbarlılar stated:
“Türkiye’s hazelnut exports exceeded 320,000 tons, reaching a total value of $2.6 billion. Compared to last year, this represents a 14% increase in volume and a 42% increase in value.
Türkiye alone produces 65% of the world’s hazelnuts, making Turkish hazelnuts a global brand in terms of quality. Additionally, Türkiye’s hazelnut processing industry is the most advanced in the world, both in terms of quality and technology.
As Balsu Gıda, we are a leader in this industry, supplying multinational chocolate manufacturers and food producers that use hazelnut products as semi-finished goods. In 2023, our total sales volume reached 45,150 tons, accounting for 14% of Türkiye’s total hazelnut production.”
Balsu: A Global Leader in the Hazelnut Industry
Emphasizing that Balsu is one of the largest players in the global hazelnut industry, Anbarlılar added:
“The 2023 hazelnut yields of other hazelnut-producing countries were lower than Balsu’s total production, positioning us as the world’s second-largest hazelnut processor.
Our biggest export market is Western Europe, followed by Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Poland, Austria, the United States, and Canada.
In the first nine months of 2024, exports accounted for 43.8% of our total sales. Through continued investments, we aim to increase our market share in global markets and further strengthen our international presence.”
Balsu to Begin Activated Carbon Production from Hazelnut Shells in June 2025
Highlighting Balsu’s efforts to add value to Türkiye’s economy, Anbarlılar revealed the company’s new activated carbon production project:
“Türkiye imports 99% of its activated carbon, and we have taken on the mission to reduce this dependency.
Using specialized equipment, we aim to convert hazelnut shells from our production process into activated carbon, creating additional value for the country.
Activated carbon is strategically important for Türkiye’s sustainable development, as it is widely used in water purification, air filtration, food and beverage production, gas and mining industries, pharmaceuticals, and the defense sector. Its applications are expected to expand further in the future.
Our new factory is under construction, and we plan to start activated carbon production in June 2025.
Additionally, we intend to utilize byproducts from the production process, such as:
- Synthesis gas, which we plan to use for electricity generation.
- Pyrolysis oil, which can be broken down into molecules and supplied to the chemical industry.
With this project, we are determined to maximize added value and contribute to Türkiye’s industrial growth.”
Source: Froeks/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök