Italian Ambassador to Ankara Visited Barilla Bolu Factory

Italy's Ambassador to Ankara, Giorgio Marrapodi , and his delegation visited Barilla Turkey's factory in Bolu. The program included discussions on production processes and the company's sustainability efforts in Turkey.

Barilla Turkey General Manager Murat Koç shared the company's global vision and its operations in Turkey. Koç emphasized that Filiz Gıda, founded in Bolu in 1974 and renamed Barilla Gıda in 2003 as part of the Barilla Group, has today positioned Turkey as a strategic location within the group with its 100-ton production capacity. Stating that production processes in Turkey are carried out with approximately 200 employees, Koç said, “We continue our production activities at full capacity. Thanks to our contract farming model spanning over a quarter of a century, our sustainable production approach, and our academic collaborations, we both increase the productivity of our farmers and make our food supply chain more resilient.”

“Our efforts to develop the sector will continue.”

Koç stated that their goal is to establish a cooperation chain that directly contributes to farmers through studies conducted in different regions of Turkey, reduces environmental impacts, utilizes advanced technology, and creates higher added value through high-quality wheat production, and continued: “We support contract farming and position it as one of our business models. We were honored to host the Ambassador and his delegation at our facility. We had the opportunity to share our commitment to providing good food to our consumers and our work on contract farming, which is one of the fundamental elements of our business model.”

“We have taken important steps in sustainable agriculture for a quarter of a century.”

Murat Bozkurt, Barilla Turkey Supply Chain Director, shared the production process of pasta, from the field to the factory and then to the table. Stating that they have conducted numerous research projects with farmers, academic institutions, and experts on the sustainable production of durum wheat over the past 20 years, Bozkurt said, “With a model unique to Barilla Food, our work continues in Southeastern Anatolia, Central Anatolia, the Aegean Region, and Thrace. Thanks to the valuable work carried out and the efforts of all our business partners, we have witnessed that durum wheat production can reach a significant volume.”

“We Reduce Losses from Seed to Harvest”

Bozkurt shared detailed information about the factory's production lines, capacity, product range, and quality control systems, explaining the company's traceability practices, sustainable agriculture principles, and the environmental benefits achieved within this framework. He emphasized that thanks to scientifically conducted studies, losses from seed to harvest have been reduced and water and energy management optimized.

“The Bolu Factory is an Important Example of the Value Chain Extending from Agriculture to Industry.”

Ambassador Marrapodi , in his assessment at the end of the visit, stated, “Barilla’s factory in Bolu is a concrete and successful example of Italian-Turkish economic cooperation. The factory’s technical capacity, sustainable agricultural projects, and production quality are impressive. In particular, the long-term cooperation model established with farmers sets an example in the value chain extending from agriculture to industry. Such investments further strengthen the economic and cultural ties between the two countries.”

Source: HORECA TREND and Barilla