Six Major Companies Face Competition Probe in Hazelnut Market

November 1, 2026 · AA Tarım & Ekonomi

The Turkish Competition Authority has launched a formal investigation into six major companies in the hazelnut procurement market over suspicions of price pressure and collusion.

New Investigation Wave in the Hazelnut Market

Competition Authority President Birol Küle announced to the public that a comprehensive audit process has been initiated targeting key players operating in the hazelnut buying and selling market. Following field studies and preliminary investigations conducted by the Authority's experts, a decision was made on October 22 to launch a formal investigation into six major companies in the hazelnut sector due to serious suspicions of competition law violations.

Sharing the details of the said judicial and administrative process, Competition Authority President Birol Küle stated:

'We have launched an investigation into six major companies in the hazelnut buying and selling market on October 22 due to serious suspicions of competition law violations.'

Stating that the market's competitive conditions and market balances are closely monitored by the Authority moment by moment, Competition Authority President Birol Küle continued, indicating that the scope of the audits may expand:

'If we identify additional undertakings that harm our farmers and violate competition during our examinations, we will include them in the investigation without hesitation.'

Strategic and Social Importance of Hazelnuts

Pointing out that Turkey alone accounts for approximately 70% of the world's total hazelnut production on a global scale, Competition Authority President Birol Küle stated that this strategic agricultural product is not only an economic export item but also an indispensable social building block for the people of the region.

Drawing attention to the challenging working conditions of producer families in the Black Sea Region who make a living from hazelnut farming, Competition Authority President Birol Küle made the following remarks in his assessment:

'Approximately 400,000 families, primarily in Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, and Düzce, who tend to their gardens with great difficulty in rain and mud on the steep slopes of the Black Sea, derive their livelihood directly from this product. Hazelnuts represent the bread on the table for those families, the pocket money for their children's education, and their hope for the year. Therefore, beyond its economic dimension, hazelnut is our red line with its social and humanitarian aspects.'

President Küle reported that they are conducting extensive and continuous audits in the field to fully protect fair competition conditions in the market and prevent unfair commercial practices.

Ferrero Commitments and Strict Monitoring

Reminding of the investigation process meticulously carried out in 2023 and 2024 targeting Ferrero, the largest buyer in the hazelnut market, Competition Authority President Birol Küle touched upon the commitment mechanisms offered by the global firm.

Speaking about the structural decisions taken during the investigation process, Competition Authority President Birol Küle made the following assessment:

'In this investigation, we examined Ferrero's market behavior in the finest detail. During the investigation, Ferrero, which was deemed to hold a dominant position in the market, applied for a commitment. As the Competition Board, we concluded that the said commitments would address the existing competitive concerns in the market.'

Highlighting the binding obligations of the Italian-based company, which directly cover the 2024, 2025, and 2026 harvest seasons, Competition Authority President Birol Küle stated that the audits are continuing with determination and noted:

'From that day to this, we are monitoring Ferrero's every step and whether it complies with its commitments moment by moment. I want to emphasize once again for the peace of mind of our producer. If we determine that Ferrero does not comply with its commitments or attempts to circumvent them, thereby harming our farmers, the company will face very heavy administrative fines.'

Past Penalties and Audits

Competition Authority President Birol Küle stated that they are exhibiting a highly proactive approach as a regulatory body to address structural disruptions in the supply chain:

'We have initiated ex officio investigations immediately against competition problems that develop to the detriment of our farmers.'

According to Competition Authority data, it was determined in 2024 that companies artificially set hazelnut purchase and sale prices by colluding among themselves, and penalties were applied in this scope. As a result of the settlement processes, administrative fines were imposed on 21 undertakings operating in Trabzon and 10 undertakings based in Düzce.

Competition Authority President Birol Küle stated that they launched a new preliminary investigation in September with the start of this year's harvest season and described the field operations in the region:

'We conducted comprehensive on-site inspections at the main undertakings operating in the region, from the west to the east of the Black Sea. Based on the information and documents we obtained, we launched an investigation on October 22 into six major undertakings in the hazelnut buying and selling market due to serious suspicions of competition law violations.'

Two Critical Suspicions Against Price Pressure

Competition Authority President Birol Küle emphasized that this comprehensive investigation is built upon two fundamental suspicions that directly affect the incomes of hazelnut producers in the Black Sea region, and explained the issues they are focusing on:

'In the investigation, we are seeking clear answers to the following questions. First, 'Is there a connection between the largest buyer in the market and local and medium-sized buyers in the field aimed at lowering prices?' In other words, are local buyers suppressing prices under the control and direction of the large buyer, forcing producers to sell cheaply? Second, 'Are buyers who should be competing with each other in the market colluding secretly to set a common price?' In other words, no matter which door our farmer goes to sell their product, are they faced with the same predetermined low price, leaving them helpless? Our fundamental expectation from this investigation is to ensure that hazelnut prices are formed not by agreements made at the table, but within the natural flow of the market, in an environment of fair and free competition.'

Determination to Protect Producer Labor

Competition Authority President Birol Küle stated that they will use all their legal enforcement powers to the fullest extent to ensure that hazelnut producers receive the full reward for their labor, and expressed that they will not allow actors who seek to artificially disrupt market balances.

Summarizing the Authority's uncompromising stance on protecting producers' rights, Competition Authority President Birol Küle concluded his statement:

'Anyone who seeks to artificially lower the prices of the hazelnuts they purchase, aims to buy the product cheaper, and is willing to violate competition to do so, will find us standing against them. We will conduct the investigation we have launched with this determined will. I say it openly: If we identify additional undertakings that harm our farmers and violate competition during our examinations, we will include them in the investigation without hesitation. We will continue to closely monitor the sector and work to the fullest extent to ensure that our valued producers receive the reward for their labor.'

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