Development of beet sugar industries in the world and the example of alpullu sugar factory

Andraeas Sigismond Marggraf discovered sugar from beet, instead of historically important cane. Although commercial potential; beet sugar did not attract attention of entrepreneurs for fifty years, up until to Napoleonic Wars. But later, due to the war and commerce difficulties, beet sugar production was rapidly spread in Continental Europe. After France, Germany and Austria, beet sugar crossed Atlantic and reached USA. From the middle of 19th century up to 1930's, competition in between beet and cane sugar continuously lasted. In this fierce competition, sometimes beet and sometimes cane became successful. As to Turkey, newly establishing sugar industry was founded over sugar beet, because of climatic and geographic conditions. Turkish government enacted supporting laws to promote new entrepreneurs to sugar industry. With encouraging attitude of government, Mehmet Şakir Kesebir and his friends founded a company to build and manage Alpullu Sugar Factory in 1925. Factory was established with German technology. Thracian peasants were educated for cultivation of sugar beet to supply raw material needs. This new but profitable agriculture type was quickly become popular among Thracian villagers. On the other hand, factory management tried to attain a strong place in local market. After ten years operation, factory was nationalized by establishment of Turkish Sugar Industries Incorporation.