The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has announced a €25 million loan to Besler Gıda ve Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret, a major food processing company in Türkiye, to support expansion, modernization, and social inclusion initiatives across its operations.
The financing package will help Besler increase production capacity through new production lines, upgraded equipment, a steam boiler installation, expanded warehousing, and the purchase of industrial freezers. The company has been operating at high capacity in recent years due to strong demand in the frozen food market, prompting continued investment in efficiency and infrastructure improvements.
Alongside industrial upgrades, the project also supports Besler’s environmental and sustainability goals. These include eliminating coal use, improving energy efficiency across production systems, and optimizing logistics operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative is part of a broader push toward greener industrial practices in Türkiye’s food processing sector.
A key component of the financing is focused on social inclusion and workforce development. Besler has launched the “Women Stars of Agriculture 2.0” training programme, which aims to strengthen the skills of women farmers by providing education in soil analysis, crop selection, agricultural planning, cost management, and modern farming technologies. This initiative is designed to expand economic opportunities for women, who are often underrepresented in higher-skilled agricultural roles.
The project also includes a nationwide internship programme aimed at encouraging young people to pursue careers in agriculture. The initiative is open to students across Türkiye, with priority given to children of women farmers, helping to build long-term sustainability in the agricultural workforce.
According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the investment supports competitiveness, sustainability, and inclusion simultaneously, reinforcing the role of private-sector development in driving both economic growth and social impact.
Besler, part of Yıldız Holding’s food group, operates across multiple product categories and brands and continues to expand its international presence while integrating innovation, digitalization, and sustainability into its long-term strategy.
