Machine manufacturer focuses on new solutions for Europe and Latin America

Tomra Food will spotlight its sorting, grading, processing, and post-harvest solutions in Madrid next month. A team of Tomra Food’s experts will be on hand to discuss the company’s new European hub in Valencia, Spain, which opened this month, and the direct-to-market approach now being taken by Tomra…

Designers of new advanced stone fruit plant on show in Madrid

The Sorma Group will be exhibiting again at Fruit Attraction to meet established and potential customers from the trade to provide insights into its many innovations for the post-harvesting processing and packaging of fruit and vegetables. The projects presented include the most highly automated and…

Bid on various high-quality food processing machines

Industrial Auctions has organized an interesting auction in Kapelle (NL). The offer consists, for example, of sorting belts, batchers, filling and packaging machines, labelling equipment, checkweighers, metal detectors, peelers, and more. Also some interesting combinations are offered on this auction.…

"Crust freezing ensures that the frozen sweet corn maintains its original quality and flavor”

According to Sana Rehman, marketing coordinator for OctoFrost, sweet corn has attracted the interest of health-conscious consumers looking for nourishing choices, since it is a source of important vitamins and antioxidants. “A major biotechnology business, Bayer, claims that the agriculture industry has…

V80/S, a tray filler that is precise and efficient

The production and preservation process of packaged salads, vegetables and fruits in the fresh-cut sector consists of several stages: selection, sorting, peeling and cutting, washing, drying and sealed packaging. Speaking of the packaging stage, precision and efficiency are the distinctive and technical…

Exploration of underground water resources with interest-free instalment payments

After a very rainy June, HydroHunter Italy has been busy all summer searching for underground water. The mission of this company, based in Italy (Tuscany) but operating in many continents, is to help farmers who are having difficulty irrigating their fruit and vegetable crops, stressed by the heat and…

Increase in 'ready to eat': new technologies for ripening

"In recent years, there has been a significant growth in consumer demand for 'ready to eat' products, particularly tropical fruits and kiwi fruit. This trend reflects an increasing desire to reduce waste and ensure higher quality in food products. In response to this growing need, FCE has spent several…

Israeli company introduces new tech as bees struggle to pollinate

Thai Sade is the founder of tech firm BloomX, a company that has found a way to mechanically pollinate crops in a similar way to bees. "We are not replacing bees... but…

First autonomous tractor arrives at MU

After more than a year of waiting, researchers at the University of Missouri welcome the arrival of one of the nation’s first-of-its-kind electric, autonomous tractors. Known as the Monarch MK-V tractor, this revolutionary piece of technology will be studied for its ability to refine agricultural…

New Zealand launches multi-use autonomous vehicle for sustainable orchard and vineyard production

New Zealand-based agritech company Robotics Plus has launched Prospr, an autonomous, multi-use, hybrid vehicle designed to carry out a variety of orchard and vineyard crop tasks more efficiently and sustainably while reducing reliance on labor. Prospr is now commercially available from Robotics Plus, a…

Machines for non-destructive measuring of fruit quality on display in Madrid

Preventing mould, producing ethylene and removing unwanted items, while non-destructively measuring fruit quality is what Fresh Produce Instruments, based in the Netherlands, will be exhibiting at Fruit Attraction in Madrid. The company is going to have three main groups of the instruments:1. We make it!…

Auction with various applications for the fruit and vegetables industry

On September 28, Industrial Auctions will auction off hundreds of lots online. Amongst the offer is a wide range of potato, vegetable, and fruit processing machines. It consists of high-quality machines for both large and small processors, which are also widely applicable. Consider, for example, various peelers…

New machines allow Portuguese blueberry producer to open second revenue stream

In just five years since its start-up, Logofruits has become the largest blueberry producer in Portugal and one of the largest in Europe. As well as growing and packing fruit for well-known supermarket chains in northern Europe and Spain, Logofruits also provides packing services for wholesalers from…

New grower tests Swiss harvesting robot

Floating Robotics is developing a tomato harvesting robot. The Swiss grower Meiergemüse was allowed to test the first prototype last year. Last week, another grower, Beerstecher, started a test. The tomato grower will test the robot in three areas: harvesting, crating, and some logistics. The robot…

NL: Unit launched for on-site carbon capture and reutilization

"By enabling the generation of CO2 onsite at farms and greenhouses, we are taking a significant step forward in helping CEA businesses reduce their carbon footprint and transition away from the fossil fuel industry as a source for CO2 supply," said Rob van Straten, Skytree CEO. "This is an incredibly…

New harvesters for produce destined for the fresh-cut industry

"We want to revolutionize how harvesters are conceived. Our new Supreme line is dedicated to companies that need to work in an intensive manner and that want to increase the efficiency of the harvesting process. The new line was created to meet the needs of one of our partners, specialized in fresh-cut…

Annual Pulsed Electric Fields technology day to be held in Germany

On October 11th and 12th, Elea Technology will host the annual PEF Advantage Day at its headquarters in Quakenbrück, Germany. In a wide-ranging supporting program full of technical presentations, machine demos and discussion panels, researchers and partners from Elea present the benefits of Pulsed…

The efficiency of steam for greenhouse disinfection

The disinfection of soil increasingly needs effective technology that is easy to use. That is why Ingauna developed Vaporizont, a machine designed for the agricultural and nursery sectors. "Our technology enables swift and easy heat treatments on agricultural soil, substrates, and compost," explains Sara…

To China with 37 sea containers for a Tolsma Grisnich project

In late 2022, factories in China's well-known potato cultivation region stood ready to be equipped with a Grisnich receiving, cleaning, and sorting line. This project's delivery scope comprises as many as 37 sea containers shipped from the Netherlands to China. The plant will eventually process potatoes…

Behind the scenes at Dutch grading and packaging machine manufacturer

Greefa's head office is in Tricht, in the heart of Betuwe, the Netherlands. There, grading and packaging solutions are thought up and produced. We spoke to sales representatives Otto Klop and Sander Reukers, who discussed trends in that field and Greefa's response. Up-scalingOtto, who has been in this…

Autonomous systems to be showcased at Agritechnica 2023

Autonomous field work is no longer a distant prospect with robots increasingly finding their way into practical applications. However, further development work is needed…

Efficient sorters are fighting the threat of toxic weeds in green vegetables

Toxic datura and nightshade weeds are more often harvested with crops such as green beans and baby leaf spinach, with the risk of getting into the final product. However, new sorting technology is now available. Jacob Hobbel, TOMRA Food’s Global Category Director for Vegetables & Fruits, explains how to…

Efficiency and profitability play leading roles in potato sorting

"Efficiency is a word that comes up repeatedly regarding potato sorting," begins Kees Kelders, responsible for sales at the Austrian company Insort, which focuses on developing customized grading technology for the food processing sector. Jokingly, he cites making two kilograms of French fries from one…

Avocado oil extraction machines will be showcased at upcoming international trade shows

The last months of 2023 will be packed with fairs for Amenduni Nicola S.p.A., an Italian company specialized in the production and sale of machinery for extracting avocado oil, both virgin and extra virgin. These events provide opportunities for meeting and discussing important matters that can be used…

"What's visible to the human eye, a camera can see, too"

"Optical sorting is the future," begins Bram Jansen, Sales and Export Manager at Schouten, which is part of the Invaro Group. This Dutch company focuses on grading and processing machine development and design, for among other products, (seed) potatoes. He sees, especially, new software availability and…

An automatic line for cutting apples into slices

Fresh fruit consumption is increasing, and apples are a top product in this category. PND is staying abreast of modern trends by launching the Mod. CB8, an automatic line for slicing apples. Virginia Cascella We talked to Virginia Cascella, an export manager and industry expert at PND, a company specialized…

"Optical sorting of de-stemmed red radishes and sweet potatoes would also be conceivable"

Over the years, Swiss company Visar Sorting Sarl has made a name for itself in the international potato and vegetable industry with its advanced optical sorting lines. Despite the pandemic and war-related crises, optical sorting technology continues to gain in importance, as Visar CEO Daniel Pitton tells…

UK robotics company raises £710,000 in funding for asparagus robot

Robotics company AutoPickr has recently secured £710,000 in an early funding round to support the development of its farm-based robot, Gus. This robot, designed to pick asparagus, was created by father and daughter co-founders Robyn Sands (CEO) and Dr. David Sands (senior scientific advisor), along with…

French company unveils next-gen optical potato sorter

DOWNS has extended its range of optical potato sorters with the arrival of the I-CropVision: a modular version of the CropVision, it incorporates the same technology and numerous benefits. By integrating the I-CropVision free standing unit into existing installations, all potato growers can now get…

A machine to safeguard fruit against frost

Mingozzi Group has developed a machine that can safeguard produce against night-time frost. "It is a unique opportunity for producers in Emilia Romagna, as non-repayable grants are in place for 70% of the cost (regional resolution no. 1099 of 26/06/2023). The deadline is September 19th and the procedure…

Scales for table grapes: sales are peaking

These are the weeks when the orders of the Karmen scales usually peak, an innovative equipment developed for field weighing and assembled by Rescina. "Demand has skyrocketed over the past couple of weeks and requests remain lively at least until mid-September, although supplies usually continue until early…

AeroFarms puts equipment up for auction

SecondBloom™ Auctions launched the sale of key assets from AeroFarms' vertical farming facility in Newark, NJ. "We look forward to leveraging our expertise to ensure a smooth transition that maximizes value for Aerofarms' stakeholders," said Chris Lange, CEO of SecondBloom Auctions. The online auction,…

Jam production lines and more offered at online auction

Due to a company closure in Lleida (ES) Industrial Auctions has been assigned to auction off their machinery and jam production lines online. The offer consists of stone mills used for grinding fruit and vegetables, autoclaves, a can filling and closing line, and many more. At your dispense, a viewing…

Dutch company palletizes 50 million bales of onions at processing plant

On Friday (August 25), Verbruggen Emmeloord demonstrated its latest palletizers at the BoWa onion packing plant's open-door day in the Netherlands. Verbruggen has been BoWa's palletizing partner for 29 years, delivering six machines since 1994. These can stack about 50 million positioned onion bales.…

BelOrta officially opens new automated top fruit sorting center

On Friday, BelOrta officially opened its new fully-automated top fruit sorting center in Belgium. The new Belgian top fruit season is in full swing, so some 40,000 to 60,000 tons of apples and pears can pass through the cooperative's new sorting center annually. The new building had been operational for…

Robocrop: The robot assistants helping farmers to increase productivity

The future of farming could involve robots– as farmers seek to address labor shortages and increase crop yields. Researchers at WMG at The University of Warwick are investigating how they can apply autonomous robotics to greenhouses and croppable fields. Continuous and repetitive monitoring of crops is…

Climate change and fruit cultivation: it is possible to manage emergencies?

Because of climate change, extreme weather events are likely to escalate in the future, with a high frequency of spring frost events as well. These are increasingly dangerous, because they occur after fall and spring months characterized by temperatures above the seasonal average which reawaken fruit…

Dewulf to present two machines at Potato Europe

In keeping with the four-yearly tradition, one of the potato sector's most important trade fairs will soon again be held in Kain (Doornik municipality), Belgium. Dewulf has announced it will be attending the 2023 edition of Potato Europe, where it will be presenting two major innovations to the general…

Teach autonomous robot new routes using “follow” feature

Burro is a versatile, multi-use mobile robot designed to relieve labor challenges and improve operational productivity in the agricultural industry. Burro can perform multiple autonomous tasks, including towing, carrying, following, scouting, and patrolling in support of day-to-day manual work outside in…

New line of food optical sorters rolls out

Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, introduces the new COMPASS® family of food optical sorters. Powered by next-generation inspection technology as well as a new sort engine and ergonomic user interface, COMPASS is an optical sorter that achieves consistently accurate…

Increasing attention towards mechanical weeding

Hilling is a widespread technique, but it must be carried out with suitable equipment. "We remove weeds mechanically by shifting the soil towards the plants. This is possible thanks to equipment that removes weeds and piles up the soil in a single passage in both orchards and vineyards, and also…

New pear-packing technology unveiled

CMI Orchards introduces its new pear-packing technology with benefits for retailers and consumers. The company’s recent expansions on the technology used to pack, market and sell pears are something it has been working toward for a while and is thrilled to be able to share it, CMI’s Sarah Barkley,…

“Processors can satisfy dragon fruit demand and provide top-notch outcomes via these practices”

Due to their high moisture, sugar content, and soft texture, tropical fruits have a sensitive nature and provide several processing issues, says Maria Vieitez, marketing coordinator of OctoFrost. “Issues that come up during processing tropical fruits including separation, maturity management and quality…

Kirigami-inspired robot grippers combine strength and delicacy

North Carolina State University researchers have been working on a robotic gripping device with incredible versatility. The researchers said the single soft gripper could be helpful in food processing, electronics and pharmaceuticals manufacturing, agriculture, and deep-sea exploration. Co-author of a…

Raspberry-picking robot startup gets £1.5 mln in funding

Climate investor Elbow Beach Capital is supplying £1.5 million to raspberry-picking robot creator Fieldwork Robotics. It marks the third food-picking startup the venture capital firm has invested in after it supplied cash to Shropshire-based broccoli upcycling startup Upp and asparagus field robot maker…

Fresh-cut butternut squash using high performing peelers

New lifestyles and new family routines are constantly leading consumers to make different choices than in the past when it comes to buying fruit and vegetables in supermarkets, opting for ready-made meals that are quick to prepare. The large-scale retail trade is responding well to this need and for some…

New case packing machine launched

JBT’s Proseal, a manufacturer of tray sealing machinery, has launched the CP4 case packing machine, the latest in the CP range. The CP4 offers producers efficiency, flexibility and profitability in their packaging processes. The new CP4 differs from the CP2 and CP3 that currently exist in the CP line…

Water Ways receives recurring third order from a blueberry grower in Mexico

Water Ways Technologies Inc., a global provider of Israeli-based agriculture technology, providing water irrigation solutions to agricultural producers, announces that it has…

Geyer/ATB

"SpaFo helps the asparagus producer to significantly reduce the disposal costs of films"

For the Westphalian mechanical engineering company HMF-Hermeler, the year 2023 is marked by numerous innovations. In addition to the launch of the advanced SpaFo process, which is designed to make the recycling of asparagus film more efficient, more sustainable and - last but not least - more…

Cearense Cemag presents new fruit harvesting machine

On the 13th, Cemag – Ceará Máquinas Agrícolas, headquartered in Fortaleza, will celebrate 50 years of intense activity. Founded and chaired to this day by Carlos Prado, the company is an example of success: its machines and agricultural implements produced here are sold throughout the country, operating…

British robotics company launches operations in the United States

Wootzano Ltd., a company in the post-harvest sector of robotics, is delighted to announce the official launch of its operations in the United States, with the first Avarai robotic system active in August 2023. This strategic move marks an exciting milestone in the company's growth and demonstrates its…

"We relieve the employees in the greenhouse by eliminating all tasks related to manual handling of loads"

"Cargo handling covers a significant percentage of intralogistics costs. The way of managing the flow of goods has undergone huge transformations in recent years along with the spread of automated systems", says Krzysztof Korzeniewski with FPHU Maryniaczyk. The company has helped many growers installing…

Israeli robo-bees assist in pollinating avocados and blueberries

Israeli company BloomX has invented mobile units that bio-mimic the job of the bee. According to Emily Speiser, VP of marketing for BloomX, honeybees, which have become the default bee for pollination in commercial agriculture aren’t as efficient as wild bees in pollinating specific fruits and vegetables…

Owner of German machine manufacturer optimistic about future

“The industry prospects are positive, and salad, fruit and vegetable processing has maintained its status as a growth market on a global level,” states Rudolf Hans Zillgith, Kronen's owner who celebrates the 25th anniversary of the company takeover and his 80th birthday. “Although the increase in costs had…

New headquarters for Eqraft

Monday July 31 was a special day. On an early morning in the middle of the summer holidays, the 60-strong Eqraft team got together to admire the brand-new head office, only a stone’s throw away from the original premises. The past few years have been years of growth for Eqraft: from the delivery of various optical graders and new…

Hungarian drone innovator to help alleviate UK's farm labour shortage

The Hungary-based drones for agriculture’s ABZ Innovation is readying its introduction into the UK market following success in countries across Europe with a technology that could help alleviate Britain’s farm labour shortage. Already present in five countries, the system offers a revolutionary new use…

Harnessing the power of sophisticated machinery for potato cleaning

In the ever-evolving world of potato farming, the need for efficient and effective cleaning systems is paramount. One such system that has been making waves in the industry is the Scotts Evolution Separator. In a recent tutorial video, Derek Scott, Managing Director at Scotts Precision Manufacturing,…

“New onion season starts with limited supplies and high prices”

The new Dutch season's market situation is off to quite an unusual start. A significantly lower harvest due to higher temperatures means the Senegalese market for onion sets from the Netherlands opened much earlier than in other years. But, says Lindert Moerdijk of MSP Onions, the question is whether…

A flying autonomous Harvester robot would be as productive as eight workers

Tevel's Flying Autonomous Robots (FAR), which allows the automated harvesting of fruits, has already made its debut in Chile. The tests, the first of their kind in South…

"Provide your grape harvesters with modern weighing scales"

"Grape harvesters would certainly work faster, more productively and with much less strain, if such operations were simplified by lightweight, intuitive, space-saving and user-friendly scales when moving around the vineyard. The working conditions of your employees will be improved, and you will…

High-tech innovations and highly effective solutions in potato processing

Cutting potatoes is one of the primary processes in a potato processing line. There has been some significant developments the last couple of years in the way processors cut their raw material. In certain instances, scientific advancements play a crucial role, while in other scenarios, basic intuition…

Online auction potato, fruit and vegetable processing machines

Peelers, tippers, vegetable washers, polishers, slicers, linear weighing machines, denesters, filling and packaging machines, turning tables and more potato, fruit and vegetable processing machines are offered for sale. You can bid on these on the online auction of Industrial Auctions in Doncaster (UK). Visit…

The UPAO develops a robot to improve the planning of the blueberry harvests in Peru

A project carried out by the Antenor Orrego Private University (UPAO) of Trujillo, which seeks to improve blueberry production in the north of the country, has developed a…

“Our new grading machine for cherries allows us to better remunerate our producers”

The 2023 cherry campaign marks the acquisition by Sicoly of a new, state-of-the-art grading machine. “At the end of May, we replaced our old machine with this new 10-line grading machine, capable of sorting and grading 5 tons of cherries per hour. Today, it is the biggest cherry grading machine in…

JAIST

ROSE: a revolutionary, nature-inspired soft embracing robotic gripper

Although grasping objects is a relatively straightforward task for us humans, there is a lot of mechanics involved in this simple task. Picking up an object requires fine control of the fingers, of their positioning, and of the pressure each finger applies, which in turn necessitates intricate sensing…

Dutch packer uses Production Efficiency Control System

In 2019, the Austrian software producer activeIT implemented its production control software, then called traceNET-Production, in the Dutch fresh food center, Fresh Park Venlo. After a project pause and under a new name, the matter has regained momentum. Erik van Maren, Director of Pakstation Venlo B.V.,…

Quality graders to optimize Dutch company's onion grading line

Dutch onion packer, Jonika, has been orientating itself around optical reading and grading possibilities for years. "We wanted a system we could integrate within our existing line. We didn't want to change the set-up and routing," begins Jaap Nieuwenhuijse. Another Dutch company Flikweert Vision's…

OptiCor setting a new bar in iceberg lettuce coring efficiency

Sormac launches the new OptiCor OC-60, combining vision technology, accuracy and speed to deliver the most efficient solution for coring iceberg lettuce. The OptiCor sets a new bar in coring“The OptiCor is unique in that the coring mechanism is located below the product. This guarantees a 100% separation…

“The great synergy between pineapple peeling and decomposing for sustainability”

As society becomes more concerned about sustainability and the cost of decomposition increases, the catering sector is looking for possibilities to produce less waste and more efficient ways to deal with the waste. Astra is a peeler innovator in Japan and the company manufactures peeling machines for…

"Interest in healthy food makes me optimistic about the future of soft fruit"

"Soft fruit demand is still rising. That stabilized late last year when high energy prices made consumers slightly less inclined to buy the somewhat pricier soft fruit. But, demand recovered early this year, and the soft fruit category is growing again," begins Johan de Witte, Managing Director of…

A solar-powered harvester arrives in the Netherlands

"Our latest machine to meet the needs of a customer in the Netherlands is an all-electric harvester for leafy vegetables, especially parsley, powered by solar energy," says Alberico Durso, founder of Dari Ecomeccanica, a machine builder from Eboli, in the southern Italian province of Salerno. It is Vertical,…

New international markets for Italian machines in the fresh-cut sector

The Italian company for the manufacturing and commercialization of fruit processing machines, PND, has achieved an interesting new milestone with the acquisition of a new international market, as confirmed by PND's sales manager Valerio De Caro. "After a long negotiation, our company managed to close a remarkable…

Fresh produce segment growing in former USSR Asian countries

While the fresh produce sector is experiencing both positive and negative aspects in many areas in Europe, other areas are going through significant developments. Futura srl, specialized in sorting and packaging technologies, is abreast of the situation. Leonardo Papi (sales manager for Italy) and Omar…

Robinia - packaging of fresh-cut, dried fruit and frozen products

Robinia, the continuous packaging machine manufactured by GNA was developed with the aim of meeting as many requests and needs as possible. It is a considerable leap forward as, so far, the company had been known only for its intermittent machines. "Although ours is a medium-small business, we boast a…

High-pressure washer removes up to 98% of pests, exceeding NZ Ministry for Primary Industries requirements for export

A few years ago, the New Zealand fruit industry needed a solution to the pest contamination that the growers were experiencing as it was preventing them from exporting to key markets. The solution was found in a high-pressure fruit washer which was a collaboration between Plant and Food Research NZ and…

Machine sorting company unveils new research orchard in New Zealand

Scientific research into the causes and effects of growing conditions on fruit will make sorting and grading even more effective. Tomra Food has revealed the first details about its Research Orchard, the only facility of its kind run by a manufacturer of sorting and grading solutions. The orchard…

Field scales for grapes - "we manufacture 5 sets a day as we wait for sales to peak"

The need to cut ripe grape bunches as soon as possible for sudden weather, phytosanitary or commercial reasons often leads agricultural entrepreneurs to spare no expense. However, such operations can be difficult if companies do not have a suitable number of scales available to weighing and packaging…

French lettuce producer achieves optimal washing result with a new line

The installation of the new line for washing lettuce grown by the French family company, in one of its two existing production facilities, required a particularly space-saving setup for the three washing machines. When the line was successfully put into operation by the team from Industrade, the Kronen…

FRESHCUP Deutschland

"We can now ensure that no more fruit flies get into the machine"

Zumoval, the Spanish manufacturer of high-quality juice presses, has announced a new innovation. "The proven juice presses of the Fasttop line are now not only equipped with a shower for better and more effective cleaning, but also with an ingenious system so that fruit flies can no longer get into the machine," explains Franz Weber, managing director of FRESHCUP Germany…

Aurea Imaging launches TMS TreeScout

Aurea Imaging, a crop intelligence provider for fruit growers, has announced the launch of TMS TreeScout®, the world's first fully integrated tractor-mounted sensor for…