Balsu Gıda
Türkiye, parent company. Hazelnut processing and export, with integrated facilities and regional purchasing centres.
Nearly half a century in hazelnuts, from Anatolia to the world, and the parent behind Balsu Industries Chile.
Balsu is a global hazelnut group with roots in Türkiye. Its hazelnut journey began in 1979, and Balsu Gıda was established in 1985, growing into an integrated supplier to many of the world’s leading chocolate and confectionery manufacturers.
Today the group spans sourcing, processing, and trade across four continents, supported by processing facilities in Türkiye, a network of regional purchasing centres, and international offices.
Balsu Industries Chile is the group’s purpose-built processing operation in Chile, bringing this experience to a new southern-hemisphere origin.
The Zapsu family starts importing Turkish hazelnuts to Europe.
The group is formally founded in Türkiye.
Balsu USA (Portland) and, later, Balsu Europe (Munich); processing in Hendek, Sakarya.
Programmes against child labour, and partnerships including the Rainforest Alliance, Fair Labor Association, and the ILO.
Balsu Agro Chile (2017) and Balsu Industries Chile (2019) extend the group into the southern hemisphere.
Hendex activated-carbon investment, and a public offering on Borsa İstanbul.
“God willing, in two years I will have completed a full half-century intertwined with hazelnuts.”
A reflection from founder and chairman Hasan Cüneyd Zapsu on a life spent in this crop, and on the people and partners who have shared the journey.
Read the Founder’s LetterSourcing, processing, trade, and value-added investment, across five countries.
Türkiye, parent company. Hazelnut processing and export, with integrated facilities and regional purchasing centres.
Munich, Germany. Serves European customers across the confectionery and ingredient sectors.
Portland, United States. The group’s first international subsidiary, serving North America.
Hong Kong. The group’s Asia-Pacific hub.
Chile. Agricultural operations supporting the group’s southern-hemisphere presence.
Maule, Chile. Purpose-built, quality-controlled hazelnut processing for global markets.
Activated-carbon investment, a value-added diversification for the group.
For more than a decade, the group has invested in responsible sourcing, from programmes against child labour to traceability across a very large producer base.
See how the group’s experience takes shape in Maule.