Our Priority Will
Always Be Innovation for Food Security
What will the partnership between ŞMS Kopuz Gıda and Bunge
bring?
The collaboration between ŞMS Kopuz Gıda and Bunge is a
valuable step for our sector, and the knowledge we will gain from this will
allow us to expand in the global food chain, reaching our dealers and
customers. Our customers will benefit from Bunge's expertise in the oil sector,
adding more value to the product range and creating a competitive advantage.
What added value will ŞMS Kopuz and Bunge bring in terms of
food innovation and R&D?
With Creative Studio’s R&D work and product development
activities focused on food and food ingredients, we will contribute to
sustainable food production. Our priority will always be innovation for food
security. By increasing our new product developments, we will accelerate
industrial processes and capture more market share for our customers. Through
our ongoing efforts, we aim to produce solutions to significant issues
regarding contemporary food consumption. We are now closer to our customers,
and together, we will light the way to the future.
What are your goals, and do you have any additional points
to add?
The healthiest approach to achieving high and sustainable
sales performance is to design your own sales management plan tailored to
performance indicators on a solid sales methodology. Technological investments,
product variety, sectoral diversity, and becoming a strong differentiator
continue to motivate me. I am not saying achieving high sales targets is easy,
but I am convinced of the importance of being solution-oriented. As J. Schwartz
said, "The moments you think something is impossible are when you are
faced with challenges that prove why it’s impossible." You must have
complete faith in your ability to sell effectively. I firmly believe that
innovation and collaboration to develop the strongest sales strategies will add
even more value when we work together.
We believe that our planned projects for the food industry
and our vision of food security and innovation will continue to add value
moving forward.
WE WILL MAINTAIN OUR COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE AND
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
We asked Taygun Güngör, Sales and Procurement Director of
ŞMS KOPUZ, and one of the industry leaders, his views on cocoa and palm oil
developments for 2025. We thank him for his insights.
Mr. Taygun, can you
provide your assessments on cocoa and palm oil developments?
In 2024, the global cocoa and palm oil markets experienced
notable developments. Cocoa prices reached an all-time high due to unfavorable
climate conditions, particularly in West Africa. The region faced prolonged
droughts and crop diseases, severely affecting cocoa supply and leading to
reduced production volumes. Although major cocoa producers expect production to
recover with improved weather conditions in the 2024/2025 season, prices are
expected to remain high. Sustainability and social regulations continue to play
a decisive role in the cocoa market. The European Union's new deforestation
laws will have a significant impact on cocoa trade, increasing pressure on
producers to comply with sustainability standards.
What are your
projections for 2025?
Looking ahead to 2025, cocoa supply is expected to increase,
but it may take time for the supply-demand balance to stabilize. Furthermore,
sustainability regulations and uncertainties in the sector will likely cause
market volatility. On the palm oil front, the Asia-Pacific region, particularly
Indonesia and Malaysia, continues to lead production. The palm oil market is
expanding due to increased demand for biofuels and its use in the food
industry. However, this expansion may be limited by environmental concerns and
the pressure for sustainable production.
Could you discuss
your solutions and actions?
At Bunge and Kopuz Gıda, we have focused on developing
alternative products to address these supply challenges. For instance, our shea
stearin-based products, introduced in collaboration with Bunge, provide 100%
compatibility with applications such as chocolate and confectionery, offering a
performance equivalent to cocoa butter. In 2025, we expect our sector to
continue growing, and we will maintain our commitment to delivering sustainable
and innovative solutions to our customers. As the food industry increasingly
demands innovation and sustainability, we will continue to take a leading role
in this transformation.
What measures do you
suggest for tackling the challenges in cocoa and palm oil production in 2025?
Producers will need to take strategic measures, ranging from
sustainable production to climate adaptation, to address the challenges
anticipated in cocoa and palm oil production in 2025.
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Strategies: In West
Africa, particularly in major cocoa-producing countries like Côte d'Ivoire and
Ghana, the negative effects of climate change continue to be felt. Producers
must develop climate-resistant varieties, adapt water management systems, and
optimize production techniques. Similarly, palm oil producers will need to
adopt similar strategies.
Compliance with Sustainability Standards: Sustainability,
environmental concerns, and social factors take center stage in the global
cocoa and palm oil markets. The European Union's anti-deforestation laws are
forcing cocoa producers to comply with sustainability standards. In this
context, strategies should be developed to reduce the environmental impact of
agricultural practices. For palm oil producers, it is crucial to participate in
anti-deforestation certification processes.
Market Diversification and Innovative Product Development:
To combat price fluctuations in the cocoa and palm oil markets, producers must
diversify their marketing strategies and develop innovative products. For cocoa
producers, responding to the demand for organic products and developing
high-value-added products is essential. Palm oil producers can also expand
market diversity by exploring alternative uses, such as biofuels.
Local and Global Collaborations: Local producers can benefit
greatly by collaborating with international companies for knowledge sharing and
technology transfer. Companies like Kopuz Gıda, working with local producers to
develop innovative solutions and present them to global markets, will enhance
the competitiveness of producers. Such collaborations will also help integrate
producers into the global supply chain.
Financial Support and Training Programs: Financial support
and training programs should be developed for cocoa and palm oil producers.
Increasing incentives for producers to comply with sustainability standards and
providing training opportunities to small producers will be critical measures
to improve production quality.
Do you have any final
thoughts to add?
Despite the uncertainties and challenges in the sector, we
will continue to produce innovative solutions in line with agricultural production
and sustainability principles. We will expand our strategic plans in this area
by 2025, continuing to contribute to a sustainable future.