04.11.2025 03:50
The President of the Competition Authority, Birol Küle, made statements regarding Ferrero, the producer of Nutella, halting its hazelnut purchases from Turkey. Küle emphasized that it is essential for Ferrero to fulfill its commitments and stated that unfair accusations against Turkey's hazelnut producers are unacceptable.
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President of the Competition Authority Birol Küle stated regarding the news that Ferrero has stopped purchasing hazelnuts from Turkey, "It is essential for Ferrero, which has been operating in the Turkish market for many years, to fulfill its commitments completely, both in terms of commercial ethics and the Turkish public."
STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPETITION AUTHORITY ON "FERRERO"
While the repercussions of Ferrero, the producer of Nutella, halting hazelnut purchases from Turkey continue, President of the Competition Authority Birol Küle made statements. Küle noted that the recent discussions in the sector are not merely a commercial issue, stating, "This matter is about protecting the producer's labor and maintaining a fair market order."
"A CLEAR INJUSTICE DIRECTED AT TURKEY'S PRODUCERS"
Küle conveyed that in the recent statements reflected in the international press, which are understood to originate from Ferrero, Turkey's hazelnut producers, traders, and market dynamics have been unjustly accused, saying, "Our country is being portrayed as a 'market for speculation.' However, the investigation conducted by our Authority in 2024 and the commitments taken as a result show the exact opposite. Therefore, this approach is not only a distortion of the facts but also a clear injustice directed at Turkey's producers."
"DELAY IN PURCHASE IS THE COMPANY'S OWN PREFERENCE"
Küle pointed out that hazelnut production in Turkey has significantly decreased this year due to climatic conditions and pests, stating, "Farmers have experienced yield losses, yet they have continued their production with dedication. In other words, there is no 'game' as claimed. Farmers are trying to adapt despite the conditions of nature and the market. It is a completely natural behavior for a producer to sell their product gradually in a season where supply is low. This is not just a rule specific to Turkey; it is a universal market rule that anyone who understands the basic functioning of the economy can see."
Küle stated that the company cannot pass the bill of its wrong strategy onto Turkey, emphasizing that Ferrero's delay in purchasing hazelnuts is its own choice, while competitors have made early purchases and the company chose to wait.
"COMPANY'S PLANNING ERROR"
Küle indicated that it is unacceptable for the company to try to shift the consequences of its preference onto Turkish farmers, traders, and institutions, saying, "If a global company has planning errors, that is not Turkey's problem. If there is a mistake, it should be accounted for internally. Turkey should not be blamed to gain prestige."
Küle expressed that Turkey's hazelnut producers are the "sweat of the country," stating that producers struggle against nature and add value to the country with their labor.
Küle drew attention to the fact that many products seen on chocolate shelves around the world contain the labor of Turkish farmers, stating, "Any approach that belittles this labor and attempts to discredit it with unjust accusations will find no response in Turkey."
"THE COMPETITION AUTHORITY'S DECISIONS AND EXPECTATIONS REGARDING THE SECTOR ARE CLEAR"
Küle stated that the commitments made within the framework of competition law are clear, continuing his evaluation as follows:
"The Competition Authority's decisions and expectations regarding the sector are clear. No one should promise first and then attempt to undermine their commitment through the foreign press. The market in Turkey operates not with threat messages but with law and rules. No one should try to portray themselves as a victim; there is no victimization. Statements suggesting that product prices may rise or contents may change citing Turkey are unacceptable. I consider these attempts as efforts to suppress hazelnut prices in a year when hazelnut supply is limited."
"THE MARKET ORDER WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO MANIPULATION"
Küle pointed out that the country's market order cannot be shaped according to anyone's whims, stating:
"The labor of the producer is protected. The market order will not be subject to manipulation. International pressure tactics cannot be employed. Turkey's institutions cannot be cast in a negative light. As a result, I would like to emphasize once again that it is essential for Ferrero, which has been operating in the Turkish market for many years, to fulfill its commitments completely, both in terms of commercial ethics and the Turkish public."
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