Konya Şeker, Turkey’s largest sugar, candy and chocolate manufacturer, aims to expand to Europe with its various products.
Many countries in the region such as Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories and Syria show great interest in the products of Konya Şeker, according to Recep Konuk, the board chairman. The company, which is based in the Central Anatolian province of Konya, plans to open to European markets after the Middle East.
Konya Şeker produces nearly 175 different types of products in chocolate, hard candy, cream, Turkish delight and halva, Konuk said, speaking to the Anatolia news agency. “In our facilities, nearly 15,000 tons of goods are produced,” Konuk said. “Nearly half of this amount is exported. Chocolate covered bars, chocolate, sugar, Turkish delight and halva receive a high demand from many countries including Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria. Our target countries have become used to the taste of Turkish chocolate.”
Chocolate, sugar and halva produced in Konya are exported to 25 countries in the Middle East, South Africa and the Balkans, Konuk said. “We have received demand from the Unites States and some European countries such as France, Germany and Switzerland. Our talks are ongoing with these countries.”
This year and 2012 will be “growth years” for the company, Konuk said, adding that the firm plans to increase exports by 50 percent.
