One of the leading names in vinegar and sauces Kemal Kukrer started to produce Salgam at its centennial
Founded in 1915 in a basement of a house the company’s story keeps going on with a wide range of products that are sold in international markets. Informing about his company and its projects with Japanese, foreign trade manager Gulten Mifleh detailed about their plans for the future.
On 100 years of history of the company
Kemal Kukrer offers vinegar made of grape, apple and others by natural and heavy corn fermentation methods. These are first line of products for the company. At present, other products are included, such as, pomegranate juice, organic pomegranate, 100 % grape vinegar, pickles, honeyed apple and sour cherry vinegar, garlic sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce, unripe sour sauce and other sauces.
Producing about 3 thousand tons of products in one factory of 1500 sqm 13 years ago, the company has three factory totaling 28 thousand sqm and producing 50 thousand tons in 2013.
Gourmet vinegars are the most famous kinds of vinegars that are made of grapes, apples, honeyed, lemon, sour cherry, pomegranate and dates. Organic apple vinegar is the most imported product. This year organic apple and grape vinegars are added.
Vinegars and sauces are produced in Eskisehir factor, while pickles are made in Kemalpasa Izmir. The Salgam is produced in the factory in Adana.
A gift of Kemal Kukrer for 100th year: Salgam
In 2015 we started the production of salgam at the same product quality. Our aim is to expand the market. Simultaneous activities are going on. We have had tasted our product to consumers. Kemal Kukrer salgams were the most liked alternatives the blind taste tests. Cilingir brand was the second. That means our brand is a powerful alternative in the market. Our product is the most hygienic at European standards. Our taste and product quality have been tested by experts of Cukurova university.
On export markets and target for 2015
Our products are sold to European countries namely Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Sweden and Egypt, Libya, Algeria and other countries in Middle East. Our products are delivered to about 41 countries.
For the year 2015 we targeted to enter Russian market. Recent embargo imposed by European countries on Russia is an advantage for our country. However, there may be some problems, because Russia is a great market. We have alternative plans for future development and price changes in this market.
On pickle production
For the production of pickles we buy vegetables from domestic suppliers. Our teams go to the field and made contracts with farmers. Produces are tested and controlled and then transferred to factories. Each delivery is accepted when the tests are positive. Products include variety of pickles including mixed, peppers (hot, French, lombardini, jalapeno, red), cucumber and gherkins. 100 % grape vinegar is used in the pickle production as it is made traditionally. Our capacity for processing vegetables is 4 thousand tons annually.
On 2015 plans
2014 was satisfactory for our company. We participated in Sial fair in France. During this event we signed three new contracts for distribution. We are optimistic for the year 2015 because we are strong in Salgam. Under our cooperation with Japanese partners we will add new products and categories this year. New investments are also planned.
