As Turkey's leading flour producer and exporter with its 50-year-old history, Pakun continues to grow with special-purpose flour varieties that appeal to both the world market and Turkey. Focusing on R&D and innovation in production, Pakun continues its efforts to develop different products with high added value, specific to customer demands, without slowing down.

Pakun, which started its journey with a stone mill in Samsun Bafra 50 years ago, has an annual wheat crushing capacity of 310 thousand tons, a wheat storage warehouse of 34 thousand 600 tons, 40 flour silos and a storage capacity of 2 thousand 600 tons of flour and it continues to produce without slowing down in its factories in Bafra, Samsun and Corlu, Tekirdag in these days.  Standing out with its innovative applications, Pakun makes significant contributions to the country's economy by bringing its wide product range developed specifically for demand to more than 40 countries in 3 continents.

While Pakun successfully represents Turkey in the international arena with its 50 years of experience and knowledge, there are also new countries on its route. Having achieved a significant success in exports with an increase of 88 percent in 2022, Pakun is preparing to add 5 new countries to its export base by accelerating its overseas activities in line with its 2023 targets. The company, which is one of the few companies in Turkey that can export with large ships, is making new investments this year with the aim of increasing its production capacity by 75 percent and the number of containers by 110 percent.

“We will further increase the added value we provide to our country”

Stating that they are proud to celebrate their 50th anniversary in the industry this year, Pakun Chairman Niyazi Durgun said, “We have been serving these lands for half a century. As the world's leading wheat production and export base, it is our ultimate goal to raise our flag higher in every field. That's why we continue our investments without stopping. At the beginning of 2023, we laid the foundations of our third factory in Corlu. In addition to our factory that has been operating in Corlu since 2017, we will increase our production capacity by 75 percent with our new facility to be completed by the end of the year, and we will reach an annual capacity of 550 thousand tons. We will increase our wheat storage capacity to 36 thousand tons and our flour storage capacity to 5 thousand tons and 150 kilograms. In 2022, we achieved a endorsement of approximately 2 billion TL. In 2023, we aim to double our turnover with a production of over 200 thousand tons. In 2023, we aim to double our turnover with a production of over 200 thousand tons. We will further increase the added value we provide to our country with our production, exports and new investments.”

“We work hard for innovative products”

Saying that they continue to work with a focus on R&D and innovation, "We import well-chosen and quality wheat from international markets, especially from Russia and Ukraine. We seek and bring the best wheat grown in the ancient lands of Anatolia. We offer our customers a wide range of high-quality flour, which we produce with our advanced technology and experienced work force, in compliance with food safety. As a company that prioritizes customer satisfaction, we closely monitor their demands and world trends. We allocate 4% of our annual turnover to R&D studies and work intensively on innovative products. We will also implement our equipped with the latest technology laboratory within our third production facility, which will be commissioned in Corlu at the end of the year. Thanks to our demo bakery product facility that we will establish here, we will be one step ahead in the sector in our R&D studies. Our main goal is to provide minimum error and maximum efficiency in production with our performance tests. We will increase our product range by continuing our R&D and innovation activities and we will continue to bring our innovative products to the world market. In addition, we will increase our market penetration by keeping our quality standard at the highest level,” Durgun added.

“We will continue to grow in the world market with our innovative products”

Stating that they brought their innovative products to more than 40 countries in 3 continents, Durgun said, “Our country, which has been in the leading position in world flour export for years, continued to be the first with 3 million tons of export in 2022. In 2022, we, as Pakun, increased our exports by 88 percent compared to the previous year and contributed significantly to both our country's economy and our country's position in the world flour sector with 44.5 million dollars. Wheat flour consumption continues to increase in the world herefore, our industry has great potential. While we are deepening our existing markets with our innovative products as well as products tailored to the demands of our customers, we plan to add 5 new countries to our export markets this year. We aim to be among the firsts in world flour trade by increasing our market share every year.”

“We must increase wheat production with technology and innovation”

Drawing attention to the importance of innovation in wheat production, Durgun said, “As a country, we meet the domestic market needs with our own wheat, but we believe that if we increase our wheat production, both our farmers and our country will earn more. The drought, which affected the whole world, caused a serious decrease in wheat production, especially in 2021. In 2022, 19.7 million tons of production was achieved with an increase of 12 percent. Similar yields are expected this year as well. If the rains continue in this way, the expectation may be exceeded. However, in any case, we need to act by including drought in our future plans. However, in any case, we need to act by including drought in our future plans. The increase in Turkey's wheat production will add value to the flour industry and bakery products sector. It is of great importance to raise awareness and support our farmers by prioritizing innovative practices such as sustainable agriculture and drought-resistant production methods. Thus, we believe that inclining to out will decrease even more in a short time. As Pakun, we are working on projects that will add value to both our industry and our producers. In the light of our philosophy of respect for the land and the producer, we will continue to create added value for clean agricultural practices.”

“We prioritize sustainability”

Stating that they keep the issue of sustainability and combating the climate crisis on their agenda as a company, “We aim for a sustainable environment with our efforts towards climate and environmental awareness, such as reducing the carbon footprint. We continue to work on our Solar Power Plant project. We minimize losses by implementing measures to ensure energy efficiency at the same time. We also closely follow Industry 4.0, automation and digital transformation studies that also contribute to environmental efficiency,” Durgun said.

“We will continue to break through the firsts in our industry”

Noting that behind 50 years of success, there is the vision of giving the power from these lands to the people of this land, Durgun said, “We attentively follow the needs of our society and individuals. We continue our economic, social, cultural and environmental support especially in the regions where we operate. We do not limit ourselves only to Bafra and Corlu. We put our hands under the responsibility in every area that our country needs us. After the earthquake disaster that caused sorrow in all of Turkey in February, we quickly delivered our aid to the region. We will continue our support until the needs are recovered. In addition, we implement practices that will set an example for our industry and benefit our country as a pioneer. We support women's employment in line with our gender equality strategy. Recently, we became the first Turkish flour company to sign the United Nations Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Unit (WEPs). As Pakun, we will continue to implement the firsts that will make a difference in our sector.” He concluded by saying, "We will continue to contribute to raising social solidarity and awareness through the social responsibility projects and campaigns we carry out."

Drawing attention with its exemplary projects in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility, Pakun was among Turkey's '80 Most Charitable Companies' in a recent study. The company, which has made a name for itself with the awareness projects it carries out, continues its support in the fields of food, culture, education and sports in the light of the philosophy of "Together We Are Stronger”.

“Our SPP investments are an important step for the future”

Noting that they continue to work on the axis of renewable energy and energy efficiency, Niyazi Durgun said, “In the light of our philosophy of sensitivity towards the environment and the world, as Pakun we’ve started our SPP investments in Demirci district of Manisa province and Kalecik district of Ankara province. We will provide an annual energy production of 13,300,000,00 kWh in two sites. With this exemplary investment, we will both meet the energy needs of our factories and take an important step for a clean and renewable future.”