Alpullu Sugar Factory

Alpullu Sugar Factory is the first sugar production facility established during the Republic era of the Republic of Türkiye. Located in Alpullu, a village in the Babaeski district of Kırklareli province in Thrace, the factory began operations in 1926 and has played a significant role in the economic social and architectural development of the region. Established through a partnership between the state and private sector in the early years of the Republic the factory was decisive in establishing beet cultivation in the region diversifying agricultural production and shaping the model of a modern industrial settlement.

The construction of the Alpullu Sugar Factory was completed in approximately 11 months and production commenced on 26 November 1926. The need to secure domestic production of sugar a basic consumer good in the early years of the Republic the promotion of beet cultivation and regional economic development goals defined the factory’s establishment process. As Türkiye’s first sugar production facility the factory holds a prominent place in the nation’s industrial history.

Alpullu Sugar Factory (One Thousand and One Foods)

History

Various initiatives for sugar production were attempted during the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. Efforts to establish factories continued at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century but were not implemented due to insufficient water resources lack of capital and capitulations. This situation prevented the establishment of a modern sugar factory in Türkiye until 1926.

Founding of the Republic and the Foundation of Sugar Industry Policy

In the early years of the Republic of Türkiye sugar industry was regarded as a strategic sector in line with the goal of “economic independence.” Objectives regarding sugar were defined at the 1923 İzmir Economic Congress and it was decided to promote domestic production.

During this period the state’s priorities were:

• reducing dependence on imports
• promoting domestic production and industry
• widening beet cultivation across the country

The Path to Establishment (1923–1926)

Efforts to achieve domestic sugar production in Türkiye were revived after the proclamation of the Republic and the establishment of the sugar industry received state support. In this context local deputies and entrepreneurs established the “Istanbul and Thrace Sugar Factories A.Ş.” with the aim of building a sugar factory in Thrace following the one in Uşak.

Among the founders were:

• Edirne deputy Faik Kaltakkıran
• Hüseyin Rıfkı Arduman
• Tekirdağ deputy Faik Öztrak
• Çatalca deputy Şakir Kesebir
• Bilecik deputy İbrahim Çolak
• Merchants and local businesspeople

The majority of shares in the company were held by Türkiye İş Bankası with Ziraat Bankası and Thrace regional administrations as partners. The distribution of the founding capital was as follows:

• 68% Türkiye İş Bankası
• 10% Ziraat Bankası
• 10% Thrace peasants
• Remaining 12% private enterprise

This structure made the factory both a regional initiative and an example of the Republic’s state-supported development model.

Site Selection

Three key factors influenced the decision to locate the factory in Alpullu:

• Railway connection: The proximity of the Alpullu Train Station built by the French in 1908 facilitated the transport of machinery beet shipments and sugar to market.
• Road proximity: Its location on the Istanbul-Edirne highway provided logistical advantages.
• Water source: The Ergene River flowing immediately beside the factory site was decisive in securing the water required for sugar production.

These conditions made Alpullu a suitable industrial settlement both for production and transportation.

Alpullu Sugar Factory (One Thousand and One Foods)

Establishment and Production Process

When the factory began production in 1926 beet cultivation was a new activity for Thrace farmers. With the factory’s operation beet planting rapidly spread throughout the villages of the region and became one of the fundamental elements of the local economy.

In its early years the Alpullu Sugar Factory began processing by-products of the sugar industry including:

• crystal and cube sugar
• molasses
• beet pulp

Molasses and beet pulp supported livestock farming in the region as by-products of beet processing. By 1933 a significant portion of Türkiye’s sugar demand was met by the Alpullu and Uşak factories.

Atatürk’s Visit to the Alpullu Sugar Factory

On 20 December 1930 Atatürk visited the Alpullu Sugar Factory as part of his tour of Thrace. On the same day he rested at the Ergene Köşkü within the factory complex. This kiosk was later preserved as a museum in honor of Atatürk with the room where he stayed maintained as it was.

Atatürk’s Memorandum from His Visit to the Alpullu Sugar Factory (One Thousand and One Foods)

Present Day

After production ceased in 2013 the factory reopened in 2017 following continued beet cultivation by local farmers. According to 2017 data approximately 175 farmers from 104 villages produced around 130 000 tons of beets enabling the facility to resume operations.^【1】

In 2018 the factory was privatized. Today it is operated by Binbir Gıda Tarım Ürünleri Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.

Alpullu Sugar Factory (Anadolu Agency)

Registration Process

According to the registration announcement dated 11 August 2020 the area where the Alpullu Sugar Factory is located was designated as a site requiring protection under two distinct statuses by the Ministry’s decision dated 15 April 2020 and numbered 88130:

1. Natural Site – Qualified Natural Conservation Area
2. Natural Site – Sustainable Conservation and Controlled Use Area

This registration decision was published in the Official Gazette as required by the regulation published in the Official Gazette on 27 October 2017 and numbered 30223. The registration was carried out due to the natural characteristics and conservation value of the area where the factory is located.

Settlement and Architectural Structure

The Alpullu Sugar Factory complex is one of the examples where the Republic’s modernization policies were spatially reflected. The complex was not limited to production facilities but created a multifaceted living environment including housing for workers and managers social and cultural infrastructure.

The main structures in the complex include:

• Worker housing twin houses
• Officer and engineer residences
• Elementary and secondary school
• Hospital
• Dining hall restaurant
• Factory post office
• Laundry
• Ballroom
• Cinema hall
• Basketball court
• Soccer field
• Swimming pool
• Türkiye’s first mini golf course
• Big Kiosk
• Ergene Kiosk
• Fire station
• Production facilities (boiler room refinery silos workshops etc.)

All of these facilities served both the workers and the local population.

The architectural design of the complex shows influences of the Art Deco style. In particular the interior fittings of the Ergene Kiosk and the architectural elements of the Big Kiosk reflect characteristics of this movement which was widespread in Europe during the first half of the 20th century.

Social and Cultural Impact

The factory was not merely an economic production facility but also became a center that transformed social life in the region. Modern social facilities within the complex were made accessible to both factory workers and the local population. Electricity cinema and sports facilities were experienced by the local community for the first time through this settlement.

The Alpullu Sugar Factory played a significant role in introducing the modern lifestyle envisioned by the Republic to the broader society. The housing and living spaces for factory workers were designed in accordance with the modern nuclear family model of the period.

For the first time in the region cinema screenings electric lighting sports facilities credit-based provision of modern household items to workers (washing machines refrigerators) social courses and educational activities and ball and meeting halls were all provided at this facility.

Economic Importance

With the start of production:

• Beet cultivation areas expanded in Thrace villages diversifying the regional economy.
• Employment increased in local villages; the factory provided continuous employment for workers skilled laborers engineers and civil servants. The comprehensive structure of the complex aimed to support the lives of workers and their families.
• Transportation agriculture and trade activities diversified; by-products such as molasses and beet pulp supported livestock farming; beet purchases increased farmers’ incomes.

Processing the beets grown by Thrace farmers helped make the regional economy sustainable.