At the northern distribution company Elbe-Obst, the cherry harvest is currently in full swing. In addition to apples, cherries from protected cultivation are the main product from the Altes Land on the Elbe. After harvesting, the plump, regionally produced stone fruits are immediately processed, sorted and packaged, after which they are delivered nationwide. "Thanks to the high sorting performance, the complete process can be done in a very short time and the cherries will arrive fresh at our customers."
A protected cherry site in the Altes Land
The growing area is known primarily for its high-quality apple varieties, but cherries are still grown over a large area. There are still many investments in cherry production, from cultivation to processing and sorting.
Fresh cherries of the Kordia variety immediately after harvest. Once they have been transported to the sorting and packing station, the cherries are processed, sorted and packaged within a very short time. Thus, the fruits arrive at the PoS as fresh as possible.
Careful preparation
After the harvest, the growers bring their cherries to the company. There they undergo rapid cooling including humidification, so that their core temperature is lowered quickly. Through this process the fruit also remains firm and the stalk retains its fresh green color. The fruits then go into the sorting process: First, they bob through a large pool of water and across a riser with a whirlpool, in which the stems of the double or triple cherries are separated.
Left: State-of-the-art conveyor technology available in the Elbe-Obst production hall - Right: Fresh cherries from the Altes Land
A conveyor now brings them to two employees who check whether the separation has been successful or still needs to be done by hand. After the cherries have all been separated, they go walk through a computer that can detect further damage with the help of imaging. Then they are measured and weighed there and divided into different sizes. In one hour, up to 4.5 tons can be processed. This careful and multiple control only benefits the quality of the final end product.
Left: Cherry sorting by hand - Right: The fruit size as well as the product weight are decisive for the quality of the products. This is done by photo-optical sorting. 
For more information:
Elbe-Obst Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH
GF: Frank Döscher
Bassenflether Chaussee 4B
21723 Hollern-Twielenfleth
Tel: +49(0)4141/9531-0
Fax: +49(0)4141-9531-950
Email: info@elbe-obst.de
Web: www.elbe-obst.de