Sagra, one of Türkiye's most valuable brands, is set to establish a new plant in the Fatsa Organized Industrial Zone, which will become the new base for its production expansion from the hazelnut capital of Türkiye to global markets. With this investment, Sagra’s production capacity will triple, and its exports will increase fivefold.
OYAK General Manager Süleyman Savaş Erdem stated that they are making investments aimed at securing the future of regional production with a sustainability vision. Erdem said, “Strong brands that grow through domestic production are the cornerstone of Türkiye's economic future. The new plant to be established in Ordu is not merely a facility investment; it is a step toward shaping an innovation-focused production culture and becoming a key player in global markets.”
Since joining OYAK in 2021, Sagra has accelerated its growth. With its new investment in Ordu, it will add both an Industry 4.0 touch and a global vision to its chocolate production. Producing in Ordu, the “hazelnut capital of Türkiye”, Sagra is establishing its second plant in the Fatsa Organized Industrial Zone with the aim of becoming a global brand.
The new plant, to be built on a closed area of 85,000 square meters, will be constructed in accordance with Industry 4.0 standards, integrating all processes, from production lines to energy management, through automation.
Once fully operational, the plant will triple Sagra’s production volume and quadruple the volume of hazelnuts sourced from the region. Operations are scheduled to begin in phases over the next 18 months.
OYAK General Manager Süleyman Savaş Erdem noted that this new investment in Ordu is a concrete example of OYAK’s long-term value creation strategy. “At OYAK, we shape our investments not only to meet today’s needs but also based on our forecasts for tomorrow’s economic and social transformations. While taking strategic steps focused on sustainability, technology, and efficiency, we are developing models that bring the power of local production to the heart of global competition. We are making investments that will carry the strength of regional production in our areas of operation into the future with a sustainability vision. Because we believe that domestic brands, the foundation of our country’s economy, must grow, the quality of production must increase, and the value created here must remain in our country to contribute to development.” said Erdem, adding:
“Sagra is not just a well-established food brand; it is also a symbol of Türkiye’s leadership in the global hazelnut market. By bringing Sagra under the OYAK umbrella in 2021, we have taken on the responsibility not only to preserve this brand but also to elevate it. This new plant investment in Ordu is a multi-dimensional strategic step that goes beyond increasing production capacity. It supports local agriculture, transforms the industry, and stimulates regional development.”
Erdem emphasized that this investment strongly supports OYAK’s long-term value creation approach, stating, “By increasing our production capacity in structurally resilient sectors such as food, sectors with sustainable growth potential, we continue to manage our members’ assets in a way that delivers stable and lasting returns. At OYAK, we view the emergence of domestic brands as global players not merely as an economic necessity, but as a future vision. With Sagra, we are strengthening Türkiye’s national production capacity and expanding the country’s export potential. We see this as a multi-layered benefit that positively impacts the national economy, producers, exporters, and society as a whole.”
The goal: representing Türkiye in global competition
Providing details about the new plant investment, OYAK General Manager Erdem stated that the current plant in Ordu has reached its production capacity limit and that a new investment is required for product development and market expansion in response to growing demand.
Erdem stated that the new plant will be built on an 85,000 square meter closed area in the Fatsa Organized Industrial Zone and will become operational in phases within 18 months. Erdem added, “With this new investment, Sagra is transforming into a production center focused on developing value-added products based on hazelnuts. We will boost capacity and prioritize product innovation. One of the main objectives of this investment is to strengthen Sagra’s global market position. With the new plant, we aim to increase our export figures fivefold and establish ourselves as a representative of Türkiye in the global chocolate industry.”
Full automation with Industry 4.0
Erdem said the new plant will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies in chocolate production and highlighted that the facility will comply with Industry 4.0 standards. Erdem stated that this infrastructure will provide significant advantages in terms of efficiency and traceability in production processes and added:
“We will use advanced technology kitchens and packaging systems on our production lines. In our warehouse, we will implement fully automated loading and unloading systems, known as ‘AS/RS Warehouse’. A digital integration system compliant with Industry 4.0 will be established to monitor all processes in real-time and to display and analyze all data, including energy consumption, via digital panels. In this way, we will create a data-driven, highly efficient production infrastructure supported by automation at every stage.”
Powered by solar energy
Süleyman Savaş Erdem emphasized that this investment advances Sagra’s environmentally friendly production vision. He noted that the majority of the plant’s energy needs will be met by a solar power plant to be established in Uşak. “The solar power plant we plan to build on 200 acres of land in Uşak will make a strong contribution to our sustainable production goals. We are also designing our plant building in line with LEED certification standards, which are globally recognized for environmentally friendly structures. This approach not only reflects our commitment to environmental responsibility but will also make us more competitive in export markets.” Erdem said.
Sagra bids for 20,000 tons of hazelnuts from the Black Sea
OYAK General Manager Süleyman Savaş Erdem emphasized that the new plant is more than just an industrial investment, it is a strategic step toward integrating the region’s agricultural potential with industry. Erdem said:
“Sagra has been processing hazelnuts in this region since 1936, turning them into added value. We are now carrying this strong legacy, which we took over in 2021, into the future with an R&D, innovation, and investment-focused strategy. We are deepening Sagra’s connection with the region and redefining its production culture with a higher vision. Currently, we use about 5,000 tons of hazelnuts annually at our existing plant. With this new investment, we aim to increase that figure to 20,000 tons. This increase is not only critical for Sagra, but also represents a significant opportunity for local hazelnut producers. We are actively exploring new cooperation opportunities with producers. Hazelnuts will be grown in this land, processed here, and exported to the world from here. This model will not only boost producers’ income but also provide a sustainable contribution to the regional economy.”
Encouraging reverse migration
Sagra’s Fatsa plant will increase blue-collar employment by 50 percent. With expected growth in white-collar roles in the near future, overall employment is projected to rise further. OYAK General Manager Erdem stated, “Following the pandemic, the trend of returning from major cities to Anatolia has increased. We are making human resources investments to support this return. Ordu and Sagra will serve as a living example of this transformation.”
