Sunriver Citrus enhances sorting efficiency with TOMRA 5S advanced technology

SOUTH AFRICA – Sunriver Citrus, a prominent citrus producer and exporter in South Africa’s Sundays River Valley, is setting new standards in fruit sorting efficiency with the implementation of TOMRA 5S Advanced sorters.

Established in 1937, the company specializes in mandarins, clementines, lemons, and various oranges, and has built a reputation for high-quality produce that is shipped to markets across North America, Europe, Asia, and Southern Africa.

Processing approximately 84,000 tons of citrus annually across three packhouses, Sunriver Citrus has experienced significant growth over the past seven years. To meet rising demand while maintaining quality, the company first integrated TOMRA 5S Advanced sorters in 2018.

“We needed sorters that deliver consistent grading to supply a perfect product,” said Theunis Bester, Production Manager at Sunriver Citrus.

The advanced sorting technology has transformed the company’s operations, allowing for better quality control and enhanced brand reputation in competitive markets.

Bester highlighted the positive impact of the TOMRA sorters, stating, “We used to have issues with light blemish sorting, but that’s no longer a problem. We’re now packing better quality fruit, and this consistency has been crucial for our brand.”

Motivated by these results, Sunriver added a second TOMRA sorter in 2023 and plans to install a third equipped with the innovative Dynamic Lane Balancer in 2024.

With a TOMRA 5S Advanced sorter in each of its packhouses, Sunriver Citrus has dramatically increased sorting efficiency. The advanced systems have minimized mechanical issues and downtime, reducing the need for manual sorting.

“TOMRA has increased our returns based on good quality grading, and our Sunriver brand is in high demand globally,” Bester noted.

The partnership with Masgcor, TOMRA Food’s representative in South Africa, has been vital to this success. Masgcor installed the citrus processing and packing lines, ensuring that TOMRA sorters serve as the core of Sunriver’s packing operations.

“The TOMRA 5S Advanced sorter offers unrivaled accuracy and gentle handling, essential for maintaining fruit quality,” explained Gerhard Verster, General Manager at Masgcor.

One of the standout features of the new sorter is the Dynamic Lane Balancer, which automatically optimizes fruit flow and lane distribution.

“This innovation allows us to push more volume through the system without bottlenecks,” Bester said, emphasizing that the balanced lane performance has led to a 10% increase in daily packing volumes.

As Sunriver Citrus continues to innovate and expand, plans are underway to equip its remaining packhouses with Dynamic Lane Balancers, reinforcing its commitment to efficiency and quality in the competitive citrus market.