DCT Trading continues its operations with a strong awareness of the distinguished legacy it carries forward.
Inspiration
Founded in the early 2000s with modest borrowed capital, DCT Trading has grown into a company operating globally in agricultural commodity trading, particularly cotton, sourcing products from various countries for domestic sales and export. The capital and experience accumulated in commodity trading were subsequently directed toward expanding operations through the YAKA and BLUEFARM subsidiaries established in Greece. While YAKA processes locally grown cherries in modern facilities and supplies major European supermarket chains, BLUEFARM has become Greece’s largest blueberry producer by tonnage.
Determination, perseverance, contributing to the country and society, and above all being a reliable business partner have been indispensable principles throughout the Company’s growth story. The vision, perspective and resolve behind this journey are inspired by the resilient spirit of Dr. Sadık Ahmet, father of DCT Trading’s founder, Mr. Levent Sadık Ahmet. Dr. Sadık Ahmet was born in Komotini, Greece, in 1947. Despite periods of hardship, he completed his education and became a medical doctor while also refusing to remain indifferent to the problems faced by the Western Thrace Turkish community, becoming a voice that brought those issues to international attention. He fought with determination for the rights of the Turkish community until his final breath, even sacrificing his personal freedom for this cause.
Dr. Sadık Ahmet’s mission to benefit society inspired the investments in Greece. The subsidiaries have not only achieved commercial success but have also introduced local communities to modern agricultural technologies and helped create opportunities to market their products globally. With employment exceeding 200 people during harvest periods, these investments have also created new employment opportunities for the Turkish community in Western Thrace.
The founder of DCT Trading and its subsidiaries, together with every employee, continues to work with the same determination and spirit of perseverance, fully aware of the distinguished legacy entrusted to them. We remember Dr. Sadık Ahmet with gratitude, respect and longing.
Dr. Sadık Ahmet
Sadık Ahmet was born on January 7, 1947, in the village of Sirkeli in Komotini, Greece. He attended Celal Bayar High School and entered Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1966. He later transferred to the University of Thessaloniki, where he continued his studies. He graduated as a physician in 1974 and, following 34.5 months of military service, returned to Western Thrace in 1978 to begin his specialization in surgery.
While still in high school, Sadık Ahmet began addressing the social issues faced by the Western Thrace Turkish community. Seeking to bring the issue to international attention, he launched a signature campaign, distributed statements explaining the Turkish community’s concerns and wrote about the subject in newspapers. As a leading voice for the Western Thrace Turks, he was arrested on August 8, 1986, for these activities and sentenced to 30 months in prison. After his release, he stood as a candidate in the general election of June 18, 1989. He won the election and became the first independent member of parliament elected from the Western Thrace Turkish community, although his parliamentary mandate was later annulled.
On January 26, 1990, he was arrested again after using the term “Turk” during a speech and was imprisoned in Dudullu Prison in Thessaloniki. After serving two months, the remainder of his sentence was converted into a fine and he was released.
On September 13, 1991, he founded the Friendship, Equality and Peace Party (DEB), representing the Western Thrace Turkish community, and served as its chairman, continuing his struggle in the political arena.
Dr. Sadık Ahmet died at the age of 48 on July 24, 1995, in a suspicious traffic accident while traveling with his family in a vehicle he was driving. He continues to be remembered with gratitude as a leader of the Western Thrace Turkish community.