Logistics News

Technology boost for apple supply chain

Efficiency gain sought from Longobardi system for almost a third of the fruit processed nationally

 

Victorian apple packing facility Nine Mile Fresh is set to reduce costs by 20 per cent thanks to a new state-of-the-art technology.

The Tynong facility has spent $17 million redeveloping its operations, which are set to create an additional 50 jobs. That number is projected to grow to 100 within five years.

Its sorting capacity has increased from 160 to 500 bins per day thanks to the cutting-edge equipment.

Some 50 growers supply fruit to the facility, which is forwarded to major supermarkets nationwide.

Thirty per cent of apples sold in Australia are being processed at the facility, which will improve the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of the apple supply chain, Victorian deputy premier Peter Ryan says.

The Victorian Government has provided $410,000 towards the redevelopment.

The facility uses a Longobardi sorting, grading and packing system from Italy, with the fully-automated system running on 200,000 litres of recycled water.

The facility is a joint venture between Battunga and Bon View orchards.

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