Fiskobirlik, Turkey’s Largest Hazelnut Producers Union Takes on German Partner

Turkey’s largest hazelnut producers union Fiskobirlik is taking on a strategic partner. The corporation will act in conjunction with Europe’s prestigious coffee and chocolate company Germany’s Schimer for production and sale.

In order to break free from state bound debts as well as to achieve a more effective role in the sector, the Hazelnut Sales Cooperative Fiskobirlik is planning to embark upon a strategic partnership with one of Europe’s biggest coffee and chocolate producers Schimer Coffee.

The agreement, which involves thirty percent of the establishment’s hazelnut volume, will strengthen the Fiskobirlik financial structure and will multiply the current export capacity.

Expressing intentions to become a effective player in the European market, Fiskobirlik Chairman of the Executive Board Lütfi Bayraktar states, “This partnership will carry us into a new league.”

STRENGTHENING IN THE FOREIGN MARKET

Noting that that it was after a long period of negotiations with Schimer Coffee, which is based in Germany and has operations geared towards all European countries, that they reached an agreement, Bayraktar states, “Within the framework of our agreement with Schimer. They will provide financing prior to purchasing hazelnuts. This is very important for us. We will have a special hazelnut cultivating partnership with Schimer. In addition to the domestic market, Fiskobirlik will also have a strong international presence.”

Lütfi Bayraktar also expressed that they have solve the salary crisis with employees and plan to pay producers which they have had difficulties with since 2006. Explaining that they will be entering the hazelnut market in the 2011 crop period by paying up front; Bayraktar states, “due to the market conditions we will be purchasing hazelnuts by paying cash. In addition, we are planning to have our cooperative be more active.

29.07.2011
SOURCE: SABAH ENGLISH