Marmara

What Marmara does

Marmara Import-Export GmbH is a German-headquartered food importer and master distributor that has supplied authentic Turkish grocery, dairy, meat, oil, legume, tea, rice, pasta, spice, canned-good, pickle, nut and bakery products to European retailers and food-service operators since 1980. From its central logistics facility at Sandstraße 23 in Ratingen and three additional European food-wholesale-market operations, the company sells more than 2,000 SKUs under its own labels (Marmara, Harika, Ja!, Shahane, Zeytuna) alongside exclusive European distribution rights for major Turkish brands such as Evyap (Duru, Arko, Evy Baby), Sütakış/Sütaş, Yudum, Tukaş and Aroma, and adjacent non-exclusive mandates for international brands including Ferrero, Procter & Gamble (Fairy) and Kahve Dünyası. Marmara operates a pure B2B wholesale model, contracts exclusively with commercial customers (Gewerbekunden/Unternehmer), accepts orders via email, phone, fax, WhatsApp and an in-house app, and guarantees 24–48 hour delivery across Europe. The business is family-owned and controlled by the Kuru family; Hüseyin Kuru founded the company, and second-generation Berkay Kuru and Ahmet Hakan Kuru serve as Managing Directors (Geschäftsführer). Quality credentials include the iTQi Superior Taste Award (2018) for Ezine White Cheese and Pepper Green Olives, judged by Michelin-starred chefs from 17 nations, and the company claims 100% brand awareness among the European Turkish consumer segment. There are no disclosed revenues, no external institutional or PE investment, and no indications of in-house AI/ML capability.

Name

Marmara

Legal name

Marmara Import-Export GmbH

Website

https://marmara.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Marmara Import-Export GmbH, founded in 1980 and headquartered in Ratingen, Germany, is a pan-European B2B wholesale distributor of over 2,000 Turkish and international food SKUs to supermarkets and food-service operators, holding exclusive European distribution rights for major Turkish brands including Evyap, Sütakış, Yudum, Tukaş and Aroma.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Home Textiles and Household Goods Import/Export

NAICS

Poultry and Poultry Product Merchant Wholesalers (424440), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (42448)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)

akta.pro primary industry

International Specialty Ingredients & Import Markets (CRAHAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ethnic Spices, Herbs & Seasonings Wholesale (AFAIAIAF), Import / Export Produce Wholesale (Cross-Border Trading) (AFAIACAH)

Keywords

• Wholesale textiles
• Home textiles import
• Household goods wholesale
• Import export distribution
• Kitchen household supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Ratingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Import-Export Distribution (Turkish food products): Marmara generates revenue by importing Turkish food products and distributing them to European retailers and supermarkets. The company acts as the exclusive European sales agent for Turkish brands including olive oil, dairy, meat products, legumes, rice, pasta, and confectionery. Revenue is generated through wholesale pricing to commercial buyers.
2. Own-brand product sales: Marmara sells products under its own brands (Marmara label, Harika, Ja!) alongside distributed brands. The own-brand portfolio includes olives, dairy, legumes, rice, spices, and ready meals sold through European retail channels.
3. International brand distribution (Ferrero, P&G): Marmara distributes internationally branded products including Ferrero (Nutella, Kinder, Ferrero Rocher, Duplo, Hanuta) and Procter & Gamble (Fairy dish soap) to the ethnic/Turkish retail segment in Europe.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Marmara is a wholesale importer and distributor of textiles and household goods, supplying bedding, curtains, towels, kitchen textiles, tableware, and decorative home accessories to retail and wholesale buyers in European markets. Products are sourced from manufacturers in Turkey, the Middle East, and Asia and delivered in bulk to buyer warehouses via international freight forwarding.

Product overview

Marmara GmbH is a Turkish-German food import-export company that distributes Turkish food products across Europe. The company operates as a master distributor offering its own Marmara-branded product lines alongside exclusive European distribution rights for major Turkish brands. The core portfolio includes olives and olive oils, dairy products, meat products, legumes, teas, rice, pasta, spices, canned goods, pickles, nuts, and bakery items. Additionally, Marmara distributes international brands including Ferrero chocolate products, Procter & Gamble's Fairy cleaning products, and various Turkish brands like Evyap, Sütaş, Yudum, Tukaş, and Ja!. The company serves as the primary European gateway for Turkish food manufacturers seeking to enter the European market.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Harika: Harika brand products including honey, sweets, legumes, meat products, dairy products, and nuts
• Marmara

Products and services

• Wholesale Home Textiles Bulk wholesale supply of bedding, curtains, towels, and other home textiles sourced from Turkey, the Middle East, and Asia for European retail and wholesale buyers.
• Wholesale Kitchen and Tableware Bulk wholesale supply of kitchen textiles and tableware products for retail and reseller customers across European markets.
• Wholesale Decorative Home Accessories Bulk wholesale supply of decorative home accessories imported from overseas manufacturers for retail and wholesale customers.
• Wholesale Bedding Assortment Bulk wholesale supply of bedding products including sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases sourced from overseas manufacturers for European retail buyers.
• Wholesale Curtains and Window Textiles Bulk wholesale supply of curtains and window textiles imported from overseas manufacturers for retail and reseller buyers.
• Wholesale Towels and Bath Textiles Bulk wholesale supply of towels and bath textiles sourced from overseas manufacturers for European retail and wholesale buyers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 product SKUs available through a single distributor
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EvyapcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvyap is a major Turkish consumer goods company. Marmara holds exclusive European distribution rights for Evyap products including Duru (olive oil, olives), Arko (olive oil, olives), Evy Baby, and perfumes. Evyap is listed under 'Kendi Markalarımız' (our own brands) and 'Bayiliklerimiz' (franchises) on the Marmara website, indicating a formal distribution/franchise agreement.
• SütaşkıcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSütaşkı is a leading Turkish dairy company. Marmara distributes Sütaşkı products (dairy products, ayran, cheese) in Europe. The partnership was announced with news that Sütaş products reached European consumers through Marmara in April 2020.
• YudumcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYudum is a Turkish edible oils brand. Marmara distributes Yudum products including vegetable oils and Yudum Egemden olive oils in Europe.
• TukaşcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTukaş is a prominent Turkish food company. Marmara distributes Tukaş products across Europe. Tukaş's Chairman Nihat Karadağ participated in the opening ceremony of Marmara's Ratingen headquarters.
• FerrerocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarmara distributes Ferrero products (Nutella, Kinder, Ferrero Rocher, Duplo, Hanuta) in the ethnic Turkish retail segment in Europe. Products are listed with SKU numbers, weights, and barcodes on the Marmara website.
• Procter & Gamble (P&G)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarmara distributes selected Procter & Gamble products (Fairy dish soap variants including Fairy Original, Fairy Limon, Fairy Mandalin, and Fairy Nar, all 450ml) within the ethnic Turkish food/retail channel in Europe.
• AromacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAroma is a Turkish food brand. Marmara holds exclusive European distribution rights for Aroma products, listed under 'Bayiliklerimiz' (franchises) on the Marmara website.
• Billur TuzminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBillur Tuz is a Turkish salt brand distributed by Marmara in Europe. Listed among the brands on the Marmara website.
• Kahve DünyasıminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKahve Dünyası (Coffee World) is a Turkish coffee and confectionery brand distributed by Marmara in Europe.
• LokmasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLokmas is a Turkish food brand distributed by Marmara in Europe.
• ÖncüminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorÖncü is a Turkish food brand distributed by Marmara in Europe.
• ATİAD (Avrupa Türk İşadamları ve Sanayicileri Derneği)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarmara is a founding member of ATİAD (European Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists Association). The company supported ATİAD's FİBO career guidance project for Turkish-origin families and youth in North Rhine-Westphalia. State Minister Aydan Özoğuz visited Marmara in connection with the FİBO project.
• KULE Import GmbHminorOthersKULE Import GmbH is listed as part of Marmara's company group under 'Şirketler Grubumuz' (Our Company Group), alongside MARMARA Import-Export GmbH and INTERDAT Unternehmensberatung GmbH.
• INTERDAT Unternehmensberatung GmbHminorOthersINTERDAT Unternehmensberatung GmbH is listed as part of Marmara's company group under 'Şirketler Grubumuz' (Our Company Group).
• MARMARA Import-Export GmbHcoreOthersMARMARA Import-Export GmbH is the parent/group company. The website URL and all operations reference this entity. All legal, contact, and AGB information refers to MARMARA Import-Export GmbH, Sandstraße 23, 40878 Ratingen.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Anadolu Import Export GmbH: German Turkish food wholesaler distributing Turkish groceries, oils, dairy, and specialty products through B2B channels to European retailers — directly comparable in product portfolio and customer base.
• TFC Turkish Food Company GmbH: German-based Turkish food importer and distributor operating a similar B2B wholesale model serving European retailers and food service operators in the ethnic Turkish segment.
• Almanya Turkish Food Wholesale: Wholesale distributor of Turkish and Mediterranean food products serving European supermarket and food service channels, with overlapping product categories and customer segments.

Broad incumbents

• Metro AG: Large European cash-and-carry and food distribution group; serves as a competing channel for Turkish/Mediterranean food buyers and represents a broader incumbent that could expand more deeply into Marmara's categories.
• Barilla Group: Global pasta and food manufacturer with established European retail relationships; competes in adjacent shelf categories and represents a broader incumbent that could expand ethnic/Mediterranean offerings.
• Transgourmet Deutschland: Major European foodservice and retail cash-and-carry distributor with significantly larger scale and broader category coverage; competes for shelf space and food service contracts in ethnic/Mediterranean segments.

Regional players

• Tat Gıda (Tat Foods): Major Turkish packaged food manufacturer with European export operations; represents both a potential supplier to Marmara and a vertically integrated competitor exploring direct European distribution.
• Euro Food Brands Ltd: UK-based ethnic and specialty food brand distributor; operates a comparable model of bringing international ethnic brands to European retail, with focus on UK and adjacent markets.

Others

• Nestlé Deutschland: Global packaged food company whose products (e.g., Maggi) overlap with Marmara's ethnic food catalog; serves as both a potential supplier partner and a benchmark for European food distribution scale.

Emerging players

• Yayla GmbH: Turkish-origin food brand with growing European distribution presence; partially overlaps with Marmara's portfolio as both a potential brand partner and a competing supplier of Turkish staple foods (legumes, rice, pulses).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marmara-imp--exp-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Marmara