‘Chocolate valley’ to be built in Black Sea

TRABZON - Anatolia News Agency

Hürriyet photo

Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea Development Agency (DOKA) will build a “chocolate valley,” worth 5.5 million euros in the first phase, where 34 enterprises will be able to manufacture in the northern province of Ordu.

DOKA aims to produce high-value-added products in the currently used areas rather than on new lands, said Çetin Oktay, the secretary-general of DOKA. “Hazelnuts are an important raw material in the region. Seventy percent of the hazelnuts consumed in the world are imported from Turkey. The added value of hazelnuts is low. The chocolate valley also aims to increase the added value of the hazelnut,” Oktay said. The main goal of the project is to develop new products through research and development activities on chocolate, hazelnuts and similar products.

“We have a plan in which 34 enterprises can produce,” said Oktay. He said the project was slated to be worth 5.5 million euros in the first phase but the amount could surpass 10 million euros. The majority of the project will be financed by the DOKA, he said, adding that once the project is signed off on its implementation would start in one or two months.