History of Trabzon Commodity Exchange
The attempts for establishing Commodity Exchange in Trabzon, situating in the route of Historical Silk Road, started in the year of 1909, which was the final period of Ottoman Empire.
This effort remained inconclusive because of the fact that the opening year clashed with the period of World War I and Turkish War of Independence. The initiatives concerning the inauguration of Commodity and Product Exchange in Trabzon were re-started in 1922. These attempts resulted advantageously and due to being a trade region and having an old harbor, which has exported products such as hazelnut, tobacco, bean and eggs, Trabzon Commodity Exchange was established in 3rd of June 1926 with the aim of carrying out the transactions of these products in compliance with the technical requirements of that era. Since then, Trabzon Commodity Exchange has been regarded as one of the eldest trade body in its field.
Commodity Exchange of Trabzon was conducted by few members until the year of 1943. After the adaptation to the law no 4355, it was consisted of Professional Committees, and so members of commodity started to increase in number.
In 1960, sales of some products especially of hazelnuts were made with the new selling method, held in hall, which is actually similar to today’s modern selling methods, used by Commodity Exchanges.
Due to the decreases in the production and exportation of eggs, beans and potatoes, professional committees related to these products could not be consisted and all of them were gathered under one group which was called various food products after 1951.
Trabzon Commodity Exchange has 5 Professional Committees in present, and the council/assembly of Commodity is composed of 14 members. Executive Committee of Trabzon Commodity Exchange is consisted of 4 members, one of who is the chairman and is elected within council.
Hazelnut, which we have a great efficiency as country both in world production and exportation, has a capital importance for Trabzon Commodity Exchange. Although 8 and/or 9% of hazelnuts are produced in Trabzon, approximately 40% of hazelnut trade is carried out in Trabzon. For this reason, our commodity has a crucial place with its attempts for constituting socio-economic policies about hazelnut. In each stages of hazelnut- from production through consumption- there are activities held in accordance with the current and economic conditions. Projects such as Quality Hazelnut, Bread with Hazelnut, Promotion of Hazelnut and Hazelnut; Official Food of Trabzonspor, are being implemented multi-functionally. Apart from hazelnut, attempts for fresh tealeaf and some several food products are carried out effectively.
Moreover, as an outcome of social responsibility understanding, Trabzon Commodity Exchange also implements projects for fishery, disability, and employment areas. It arranges and participates in cultural activities so as to increase the social awareness.
Some important projects are implemented for technical and cultural progress of its members.