Our partner in turkey

a partnership for sustainable
Turkish hazelnuts

COLLABORATION WITH IŞIK

What began in 1993 with the first non-binding samples from Turkey is today a joint success story characterised by trust, transparency and friendship. For decades Işik has been our exclusive partner for all Turkish products. Almost every week a truck or container leaves Turkey and heads to Switzerland. The hazelnuts and dried fruits produced to the highest quality standards are extremely popular with both industrial customers and end consumers.

As part of the partnership, yourharvest is committed to a transparent, sustainable value chain for Turkish hazelnuts. Together with Işik, Happy Hazelnut was launched in 2013. This initiative aims to improve the working conditions of Turkish harvest workers and prevent child labour. The project is based on the Happy Hazelnut certification and the «Happy House» in Paşalar.

www.happyhazelnut.ch

Our hazelnuts are certified several times

OUR CONTRIBUTION

A TRANSPARENT SUPPLY CHAIN

We create transparency. Transparency in procurement, and in production. Transparency all the way to you.

FINANCING OF FACTORY EXPANSION

We support the factory in expanding its capacities and finance the expansion of the production facilites.

SECURITY OF SUPPLY

Through pre-financing, we enable prompt payment to farmers and speculation-free availability of the raw materials.

DEVELOPMENT OF HAPPY HAZELNUT

Together with Işik we have established the Happy Hazelnut Project, developed our own standard, and aquired members.

«The takeover of the Ormanli factory by Işik was the final piece of the puzzle for complete control, and therefore transparancy of the value chain. Now we are working at full speed to expand the factory, while yourharvest ensures the sales of our products.»

MEHMET ALI ISIK
Founder & Owner of Işik Organic

«As Turkish organic pioneer IŞik has been practicing Sustainability with great conviction since its foundation in 1978. Sustainability is part of the business model. Starting with direct cooperation with the farmers, the transparent supply chain, good working conditions in the factory and the renunciation of speculation.»

RESAT CAKMAK
Head of factory & Co-initiator Happy Hazelnut

«We know our farmers well and have a relationship of trust. This is important for the quality of the hazelnuts and central to our purchasing. We are transparent and give the farmers feedback on the price and quality of their harvest.»

ÖZKAN KOZ
Buyer Işik Tarim

SUSTAINABILITY IS AT THE CORE OF IŞIK

DIRECT PROCUREMENT FROM FARMERS

Işik buys the hazelnuts directly from the farmers. The traditional middlemen in Turkey are bypassed.

PROCESSING IN OUR OWN FACTORY

As production takes place in the own factory, quality can be controlled and guaranteed.

100% TRACEABILITY

Even after processing, the goods can be traced back to the farmers by using farm IDs.

AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL SORTING

The combination of state-of-the-art laser sorting equipment, a trained eye and the nimble hands of the sorting staff ensure top quality.

SPECIALISATION IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Işik has specialised in organic hazelnuts and supports farmers in the conversion to organic farming.

100% OF THE PREMIUMS GO TO THE FARMERS

No fees are charged from the paid premiums, the full amount is paid out to the individual farmers.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

The factory meets high environmental standards, has a SEDEX 4-Pillar Audit, offers free catering and transportation for the workers.

NO SPECULATION

Exclusively back-to-back business. Işik does not engage in price speculation and buys hazelnuts only if a buyer is already in place.

«Through our long-standing partnership with Işik we have developed a high level of expertise in the hazelnut sector and are now a recognised supplier of sustainable hazelnuts».

Martin Brosi
Product Manager Nuts