Enhancing tomato business performance with advanced sorting, grading, and packaging solutions

TOMRA Fresh Food, a business area within TOMRA Food, specializes in providing post-harvest-to-pack solutions for tomato producers and packers. TOMRA has established a strong presence in the industry and aims to expand further, particularly in Latin America and Europe.

TOMRA offers sorting and grading technologies to cater to different tomato categories. For large tomatoes, their solutions include the TOMRA 5S Advanced sorting and sizing platform, the Spectrim sorter and grader, and the UltraView inspection module or Inspectra2 grading system as additional options. 

When it comes to small, snacking tomatoes, TOMRA provides two sorters: the MIRA360 and the Small Fruit Sorter (SFS) equipped with the InVision2 grading system. Additionally, TOMRA offers a wide selection of automatic weighing and filling solutions for tomatoes of all sizes.

One of TOMRA's key strengths lies in its ability to calibrate its sorting and grading technologies according to the specific needs of each production line. This customization is a result of years of experience working closely with processors and packhouses.

The TOMRA 5S Advanced, introduced in 2021, is designed for sorting and grading large tomatoes based on various parameters such as size, weight, shape, color, density, defects, and softness. This platform features toolless cleaning and sanitization, and 100% stainless steel and food-safe polymer contact areas. 

The TOMRA 5S Advanced's software features optimize and enhance the overall efficiency of the production line. These include programs for element mixing, exact pack-out optimization, throughput control, and a Dynamic Lane Balancer that maximizes capacity by allowing up to 10-15% more fruit per lane compared to other systems. The sorter's intuitive graphic user interface enables easy control of these features.

For smaller fruit sizes like snacking tomatoes, the MIRA360 and SFS sorters are capable of sorting into multiple streams based on size, color, and defects, including softness. 

The Spectrim sorter, on the other hand, first sorts based on surface blemishes and then grades for minor and major defects, such as skin blemishes, insect damage, bruising, abrasions, misshapen fruit, and softness. The sorting parameters can be configured to accommodate different defect levels, allowing precise product grading tailored to various markets.

To complement the Spectrim sorter, TOMRA offers the UltraView inspection module, which takes the grading capabilities to the next level. The high-resolution multi-spectral cameras and LED lights, strategically positioned close to the fruit and parallel to its direction of travel, make it one of the most powerful fresh produce grading systems in the world.

While external characteristics are important, some crucial quality aspects of tomatoes are hidden beneath the skin. To address this, TOMRA offers Inspectra2, a non-invasive solution for internal defect grading. The platform utilizes a near-infrared spectrometer that can detect Brix, dry matter, core rot, and firmness. These capabilities of sorting reduce fruit giveaway.

When tomatoes approach the end of the line, TOMRA’s filling and packing machines come to action. The CURO filling system is available with 2, 8, 12, and 16 filling stations. It delivers consistent and speedy filling at precise weights, and can easily switch between packing options. 

All these components form an integrated solution. Connectivity to TOMRA Insight, the cloud-based subscription service, can make sorting machines the digital heart of processing and packhouse operations.

If you are searching for new equipment for your tomato business, send your inquiry