TY  - JOUR
T1  - The importance of institutionalization in enterprises producing candied chestnuts and derivative products: The case of Bursa province
AU  - Özçalık, Sedat
AU  - Kaya, Aynur
Y2  - 2025
DO  - 10.53663/turjfas.1730719
JF  - Turkish Journal of Food and Agriculture Sciences
JO  - Turk J Food Agric Sci
PB  - Burhan ÖZTÜRK
WT  - DergiPark
SN  - 2687-3818
SP  - 189
EP  - 205
VL  - 7
IS  - 2
LA  - en
AB  - Chestnut, a fruit of considerable significance for the Turkish economy due to its production volume and export potential, is cultivated in Bursa as in many other regions of Türkiye where it grows naturally. In addition to being sold as a raw product, chestnuts are processed into candied chestnuts and various derivative goods in facilities located both in the city center and surrounding districts. Among the numerous companies operating in Bursa’s confectionery and sweets industry, a total of 40 enterprises are engaged in producing and marketing candied chestnuts and related products—items that hold a geographical indication specific to the province. However, statistical data such as the total capacity, production levels, and sales volumes of these enterprises are not published by official institutions. Consequently, sector-specific figures remain uncertain. Nevertheless, based on statements made by company representatives in media interviews conducted in 2019, the total annual production of candied chestnuts and their derivatives in Bursa is estimated to be approximately 3,000 tons. Despite producing such a valuable GI-certified product, only a limited number of businesses in this sector exhibit the characteristics of institutionalized enterprises. Currently, only a few candied chestnut producers in Bursa can be said to have adopted—or to be in the process of adopting—conventional institutionalization practices. Most businesses in the sector are known to operate as family-owned enterprises managing both production and sales activities. Operating within the food industry—one of Türkiye’s four largest sectors in terms of high value-added production—candied chestnut producers must embrace institutional practices in order to achieve meaningful growth and long-term sustainability within the sweets and confectionery segment. The first part of this study presents a general framework regarding the production and consumption preferences of candied chestnuts, which constitute a significant area of employment and socio-economic value. The second part examines the importance of institutionalization for candied chestnut producers in Bursa. Finally, the study offers recommendations aimed at increasing consumer preference and strengthening the market positioning of candied chestnuts within the sugary foods category.
KW  - Candied chestnut
KW  - Chestnut products
KW  - Family businesses
KW  - Food industry
KW  - Geographical indication
KW  - Institutionalization
KW  - Sustainability
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.53663/turjfas.1730719
L1  - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/5006157
ER  -