Capacity new cherry sorter 4,200 kilograms per hour

As of last week, BelOrta has a high-tech sorting installation with optical sorting at its disposal. The machine was produced in Australia and is unique in Europe. “Because of the increase in our cherry area by as much as 150 per cent, we felt the need to scale up our sorting capacity. We’ve searched the world for a hypermodern installation so that BelOrta can supply great product to customers. The search ended in Australia and the cherry sorter was transported by ship. Since last week, this extremely sophisticated installation is operational at BelOrta, making it unique in Europe.”

The installation is a quality sorter with a capacity of 4,200 kilograms per hour. The first step consists of separating the cherries by means of the cluster-cutter. Supply to this cluster-cutter happens by means of a crop lifter and is the taken away by water. The next step is removing the dirt, leaves and small cherries. The cherries are brought to the singulator by water transport, which brings them to the individual cups. The cameras, driven by advanced recognition software, sort for colour, size and quality. Both internal and external defects such as shape deviation are sorted out. Even cherries affected by insects are recognised and eliminated by the machine.

Since 2014, BelOrta has had a hydro-cooling and electronic sorter at its disposal for cherries. This hydro-cooler can handle six tonnes per hour, and it can bring the temperature all the way to the stone from field temperature to +0.5 ˚C in ten minutes. Thanks to this infrastructure, there’s the option to optimally cool the cherries, resulting in a longer shelf life.

As of this season, BelOrta is offering a new box, specifically designed for the cherries. The box has a warm, deep red colour, which goes well together with the cherries. This cardboard packaging can be made ready on the customer’s demand. The standard packaging will remain a wooden crate, dressed with a cardboard ‘skirt’ that has a BelOrta print.