BALSU Agro Chile
After intensive research and evaluations, Balsu decided to make its first international agricultural investment in Chile and established Balsu Agro Chile SpA in 2017.
In 2017, Balsu purchased its first agricultural land in the Maule region, started preparations for the establishment of a hazelnut orchard in 2018 and planted 30 thousand saplings in the same year. In 2019 and 2020, Balsu Agro Chile continued to purchase agricultural land in the same region and completed the planting of seedlings in 2021. Today, the number of hazelnut trees has reached 70 thousand on 160 hectares of land where the irrigation pipe system with a total length of 548 km is used.
A 2-line drip irrigation system has been installed in all hazelnut gardens, and thanks to the solar energy system in some gardens, approximately 80% of all energy needs for irrigation and fertilization are provided from this renewable energy source.
In 2020, Balsu Agro Chile won the Chilean government’s incentive award for its effective and renewable irrigation and fertilization system and renewable energy system to reduce water use and make fertilizer applications more efficient.
Balsu Agro Chile is not only completing the necessary infrastructure for 100% traceable and sustainable hazelnut farming in Chile, but also engaging in activities to encourage other producers to adopt the same approach.
In addition to its agricultural activities, Balsu Agro Chile aims to expand its commercial activities to diversify Balsu’s hazelnut supply channels starting in 2024.
Balsu Agro Chile continues its intensive efforts to contribute to meeting the year-round fresh hazelnut needs of Balsu’s international customers, especially in Europe, America and the Far East, by utilizing the reverse season advantage in Chile’s hazelnut harvest compared to Turkey.
BALSU Industries Chile
With Balsu Industries Chile SpA, established in Chile in 2019, Balsu aims to produce processed hazelnuts in Chile in accordance with international quality standards, and offer them to world markets by using its deep-rooted industrial and commercial experience and know-how in hazelnuts gained over 45 years.
Balsu Industries Chile, which will process different hazelnut varieties in its high-tech hazelnut processing facilities, will play an important role in the further growth of Balsu’s global market share in the hazelnut trade by prioritizing marketing especially to the American and Far East countries.
By operating in Chile, which has an ideal climate for hazelnut cultivation with its large and fertile soils, Balsu Industries Chile utilizes the advantage of different harvest times between Turkey and Chile, thus having the opportunity to produce continuously and uninterruptedly throughout the year.
One of the reasons why Balsu Industries Chile operates in Chile is that this location minimizes transportation costs, especially due to its proximity to markets in the Americas and Asia-Pacific region.
Balsu Industries Chile facilities, which will produce raw hazelnuts, roasted hazelnuts, blanched hazelnuts, chopped hazelnuts, hazelnut flour and hazelnut paste, will be fully operational in 2026.
