Vertical Integration Era Begins in Food, From Farm to Table

September 17, 2026 · Dünya Gazetesi

Referans Holding CEO Feray Uzunçayır announced that the integrated supply model, connecting agricultural production directly with catering and food operations, offers cost and traceability advantages.

Integrated Model From Farm to Table

Referans Holding CEO Feray Uzunçayır stated that the 'from farm to table' approach is guiding the modern food and gastronomy sector. Uzunçayır explained that their company directly connects resources from agriculture and livestock farming with production and catering operations, adding that the established integrated structure offers control in supply processes, full traceability, and effective cost management. She emphasized that strengthening the link between agricultural production and food services has become a critical necessity for both consumers and the sector.

Bursa's Agricultural Production Potential

Feray Uzunçayır commented that gastronomy is not limited to food and beverage services alone, noting that agricultural production, the food industry, logistics, and employment all converge within the same value chain. Pointing out that Bursa is one of the strongest centers in this chain, Uzunçayır stated that the city's rich agricultural production potential needs to be blended with its industrial infrastructure. She conveyed that the fifth organization of the Bursa Gastronomy Festival brings producers, businesses, and consumers together on a common platform, thereby strengthening agricultural synergy.

Value Chain in Local Products

Uzunçayır advocated for highlighting traditional production methods and seasonal diversity in rural areas, underscoring that local crops should not be viewed merely as raw materials. Referans Holding CEO Feray Uzunçayır expressed the importance of the production stages in rural areas with the following words:

'The story of the product should also be focused on.'

Uzunçayır added that the production process in the field constitutes the true value of the product, and the processing of regional agricultural products with higher added value directly contributes to rural development and the regional economy.

Vertical Integration in the Supply Chain

Uzunçayır touched upon the significant advantages of managing agricultural and animal resources through a vertical integration model in the supply chain, drawing attention to the importance of operational resilience. Referans Holding CEO Feray Uzunçayır stated that this integrated model provides protection against seasonal fluctuations in raw material markets. She expressed that monitoring the product from the very first moment it leaves the seed and the field to its final stage on the table is an indispensable standard for food quality and reliability.

Contract Farming and Sustainability

Reminding that the efficient use of resources and the prevention of food waste should be at the center of agricultural policies, Feray Uzunçayır explained the importance of contract farming models. She noted that strong collaborations established with local producers diversify the supply structure and provide market security to the producer, adding that conducting the process in a planned manner brings sectoral stability. Uzunçayır stated that blending Bursa's agricultural strength with its production culture through the same strategy will carry local producers and the food ecosystem into the future.

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