Durak Hazelnut Board Member Kadir Durak was a Guest at the Black Sea Economy Program
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Durak Hazelnuts Board Member Mr. Kadir Durak answered Murat Gürsoy’s questions on the Black Sea Economy program. At the beginning of the program, Mr. Durak emphasized the efforts of farmers with the statement “Without farmers, we do not exist, we exist together with farmers” and celebrated May 14 World Farmers Day and thanked all farmers.
Durak Hazelnuts has become a structure that produces its own energy with the strategic energy investments it has made both in Turkey and Romania. The company announced that it has entered the field for the 50 MW capacity Solar Power Plant (SPP) project in Romania, and that security fences and construction work have been initiated. In addition, Mr. Durak stated that the 60.5 MW capacity license has been purchased and that the 50 MW part of the total 110.5 MW SPP investment in Romania is aimed to be completed by the end of 2025.
In Turkey, within the scope of energy investments, a total of 8 MW solar power plant projects have been implemented, including 4 MW installed on factory roofs and 4 MW in Afyon. In addition, it was reported that a permit was received for a new power plant with a capacity of 4.5 MW in Konya and that this project is planned to be completed by the end of the year.
As a result of all these investments, Durak Hazelnuts aims to reach an energy production capacity of 20 times the energy it consumes. The total budget allocated by the company for energy investments is 75 million Euros.
Strategic Investments from Durak Hazelnuts in the Eastern and Western Black Sea Regions and Strong Support for Women's Employment
Durak Hazelnuts contributes to the regional economy and creates significant employment with its investments in the Eastern and Western Black Sea Regions. The company acts with a sustainable production approach and social responsibility vision, and especially prioritizes women's employment.
The project work for the new production facility with an indoor area of 8,000 square meters in Ünye Organized Industrial Zone has come to an end and construction will begin soon. This investment will strengthen the industrial infrastructure in the region and create a significant source of employment.
On the other hand, the new cracking factory in Sakarya, built entirely of stainless steel, is preparing for production with a daily hazelnut cracking capacity of 500 tons. The current daily capacity of 800 tons will be increased to a total of 1,300 tons with the commissioning of the new facility. This increase both expands the production volume and increases the need for labor. He stated that 73% of his employees are women.
He stated that after reviving the energy investments in Romania and Turkey, they will start work on the chocolate investment in the 40 thousand square meter area next to the roasting facility.
Kadir Durak: "Risks Increase in Turkish Hazelnut Production, Producer Weight Decreases"
Durak Hazelnut Board Member Kadir Durak made evaluations regarding the International Nuts and Dried Fruits Council (INC) meeting held in Spain. Referring to important developments regarding the Turkish hazelnut sector, Durak stated that they projected the 2025 hazelnut harvest as 610 million kilograms, but that this estimate carries some risks.
Durak emphasized that the skunk (brown skunk pest) infestation, which is expected to increase in the summer months, could negatively affect the harvest, but the extent of this damage has not yet been predicted. He also stated that the cold and foggy weather in the spring and summer months harms the natural fertilization process that affects hazelnut productivity, and that this situation prevents new births, while the producer weight in the Turkish hazelnut market has decreased from 85% to 65% in the last 5 years.
Kadir Durak: "Reasons Why We Cannot Go Beyond Traditional Hazelnut Markets and Solution Suggestions"
One of the main reasons is that farmers want to solve everything with price before yield and quality. We should reduce production costs, increase yield, prevent land division and mechanized agriculture can be considered for each region. With correct pruning and fertilization, yield should be increased and low support given per acre should be prevented.
"Hazelnut Price is Advantageous in the Global Market, However, Producers Cannot Feel This Due to Inflation"
While evaluating the competitive power of hazelnut in the world market, he also touched on price comparisons with other types of nuts. Stating that there is a price difference of approximately 1 dollar between almonds and hazelnuts, Durak stated that hazelnuts are traded at an average of 4 dollars in international markets, while almonds are traded at 3 dollars.
Although hazelnuts have a price advantage in the global market, he stated that this price difference is not felt enough by the producer due to the high inflation experienced in Turkey.
How do you evaluate TMO's Hazelnut Policies as an Industrialist?
We do not want farmers and industrialists to come face to face. We know very well that if our farmers are not there and do not produce, we will not exist either. We believe that the labor of farmers should be paid and we want Turkish hazelnuts to be able to compete on their own.
TMO's purchasing interventions are correct. Stating that it has priced hazelnuts correctly since 2018 and has never suffered a loss, DURAK also stated that the state has no intention of making money from any commercial activity.
What are the Biggest Threats and Opportunities for the Turkish Hazelnut Sector?
The biggest threats include cost, yield and land division problems. If the land division problem is not solved, the weight of hazelnuts in Turkey in the world will be lost. He stated that if we can go beyond traditional markets, we can develop hazelnuts without fear of production.
What Precautions Should Be Taken for Skunk?
He stated that for the brown skunk, which is seen everywhere in the Eastern and Western Black Sea region, pesticides should be applied in gardens in May, June and July with the warming of the weather. He underlined that if this fight is not done sufficiently, a very serious quality problem will be encountered. He emphasized the importance of implementing pheromone traps, samurai bees, biological and agricultural control as a precaution.
What do you plan to do regarding Good Agricultural Practices?
We ensure that the children of seasonal agricultural worker families coming from the East continue their education. Mr. DURAK stated that we are constantly together with farmers in the fields with our agricultural engineers and that they raise their awareness by providing them with training, and he also stated that they established GES systems within the scope of sustainable studies.
For those who want to watch the entire broadcast; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfbPrPAY2IM
