When WORLD OF WONDERS W-O-W INTERNATIONAL SAS began building its global supplier network, every sourcing decision followed a single framework: which countries offer verified quality, internationally recognized certifications, and a consistent export track record? Turkey answered first — and that is why Turkish confectionery reached Ecuador as a founding pillar of WOW International’s portfolio, not as a later addition.
Not intuition. Sourcing criteria.
An Industry That Exports to 180 Countries — With Real Certifications
Turkey’s confectionery sector exports to between 180 and 200 countries across five continents. Between 65% and 75% of total production reaches external markets — this is not an industry that exports surpluses. It was built for global distribution from the ground up.
The scale is backed by verifiable standards: HACCP, ISO 22000:2005, Halal certification, and TSE (Turkish Standards Institution) compliance. Turkey’s chocolate exports totaled USD 1,258 million in 2024. These certifications are not optional credentials for a market operating at this scale — they are baseline requirements.
That was precisely the framework WOW International applied when selecting international partners.
The Black Sea Hazelnut: The Ingredient That Changes Everything
Turkey produces 70% of the world’s hazelnuts, cultivated in the Black Sea Coast region. 80% of that global hazelnut output feeds the international chocolate sector.
Ferrero — the company behind Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, and Kinder — sources 25% of the world’s hazelnut supply from Turkish farms. Turkish chocolate is made with the same raw ingredient that powers the world’s premium brands, processed at the origin. This advantage cannot be replicated from another country. It explains the flavor profile and quality baseline of Turkish confectionery without requiring any further argument.
The Turkish Producers WOW Selected
Against this industry backdrop, WOW International applied its own selection criteria — proven track record, verified international certifications, documented presence in multiple destination markets — and built a network of four partners:
- EVLIYA (EVLIYA ŞEKERLEME SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş.) — Founded 1960, Konya. Exports to 50 countries. Certified: TSE + Halal + HACCP + ISO 22000:2005.
- TAYAS (TAYAŞ GIDA SANAYİ VE TİCARET A.Ş.) — Founded 1965, Konya. 800 employees, 150-ton daily capacity, exports to 136 countries (95% of output). Ranked among Turkey’s top 500 industrial companies (#114).
- OSLO (OSLO GIDA SAN. VE TİC. LTD. ŞTİ.) — Konya-based. Cakes, biscuits, waffles, and chocolate-coated products.
- ANTAT (ANTAT GIDA A.Ş.) — History dating to 1960, active manufacturing since the 2000s. Present in 80+ countries from the Konya Industrial Zone.
WOW International also develops part of its proprietary brand portfolio through certified Turkish manufacturers — applying the same ingredient quality and craftsmanship standards to WOW-owned product concepts. Two models, one sourcing standard.
International suppliers evaluating Ecuador as a distribution market will find in WOW International a partner with the infrastructure, certifications, and supplier selection rigor to handle established brands responsibly.
Turkey is not just a sourcing country. It is the standard we chose first.
