BALSU USA, Inc.

A total of 8 million people are living off Hazelnuts on the Turkish Black seashore which is about 800 miles long. The average yearly income is around $1,500. Unfortunately there is no Hi-tech "third wave" investment in this area. Even the number of the "second wave" industrial facilities do not exceed ten, forcing the population to make a living from agriculture. Since the high mountains, parallel to the shore line, are very steep and begin right at shore, machinery can be seldom used and the only tool is hand-work.

Hazelnuts are everything to the people of this region. Even in the highest steep slopes the short Hazelnut trees make their contribution to the war for survival.

Hazelnuts, which have been produced in this area since 300 B.C. provides around 80% of the total world production, while assuring a unique taste in the most healthy way to consumers over 72 countries worldwide.

Today, investments in Hazelnuts are very few and in very old traditional systems. For this reason, Raw hazelnuts are being processed and evaluated in many other countries other than the original country: Turkey.

Through advanced processing of the hazelnuts, we at BALSU have tried to provide more benefits to the producers since 1979. Our second roasting and processing plant in the region of Hendek started to produce in 1996. Today, I am very confident that the state-of-the-art factory, unique in its kind will draw more attention to this product.

Nevertheless success remains dependent also on the depth and vision of client relationships and the market's perception of the quality of goods and services offered.

Through your interest for this beautiful product and your confidence in us, you are certainly helping us open the door to the future. Thank you!

H. Cuneyd Zapsu, Chairman