TOMRA Food is a global leader in sensor-based sorting, grading, and processing technologies for the food industry, with a strong presence in Australia through its demonstration center and operations in Melbourne (Tullamarine). A division of TOMRA Group, headquartered in Norway, TOMRA Food services the fresh and processed food sectors with highly advanced post-harvest solutions. Its Australian operations support the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with over 200 employees serving markets across Oceania and Southeast Asia.
Core Business
TOMRA Food develops and supplies high-performance sorting and grading systems powered by cutting-edge sensor technologies. Its solutions are widely used in the handling of fresh produce and processed foods, enabling automation, safety, and quality assurance in food production and post-harvest processing.
Operating across fresh and processed product categories, TOMRA Food enables producers and packers to reduce food waste, increase yield, and comply with stringent food safety regulations. The company provides local support to Australian and regional clients through its Tullamarine service center and technical network.
Product and Service Offerings
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Fresh Produce Sorting and Grading:
- Apples, citrus, cherries, blueberries, tomatoes, avocados, kiwifruit, and stone fruit
- Technologies include defect detection, sizing, color and shape sorting, and internal quality scanning (e.g., for sugar content and bruising)
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Processed Food Sorting:
- Potatoes (whole and French fries), dried fruit, vegetables, proteins, and nuts
- Capabilities include foreign material removal, defect sorting, moisture detection, and hygiene control
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Grading Platforms:
- TOMRA 5S Advanced, TOMRA 5B, TOMRA 5A series for various product categories
- Spectrim, Inspectra², UltraView inspection platforms for optical and chemical grading
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Software and Data Integration:
- TOMRA Insight (cloud-based monitoring and analytics)
- Yield prediction, machine diagnostics, and traceability dashboards
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Testing and Demonstration Services:
- On-site testing in the Melbourne (Tullamarine) demonstration center for client trials and system validation
- Remote support, installation, and operator training programs
Specialization and Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
TOMRA Food’s unique value lies in its:
- Sensor fusion technology combining camera, laser, infrared, and X-ray systems
- Machine learning algorithms that continuously optimize sorting decisions
- Sustainability outcomes, reducing food waste by as much as 5–10% for high-volume processors
- Localized support across APAC, with real-time service and technical customization
The company is the global benchmark in optical sorting, having sorted more than 100 billion units of food annually across its installations worldwide.
Financials and Market Reach
As part of the publicly traded TOMRA Group (OSE: TOM), TOMRA Food contributes to:
- Group Revenue (2023): NOK 12.9 billion (~USD 1.2 billion)
- Food Segment Revenue: Over USD 300 million
- R&D Investment: Approximately 8% of annual revenue reinvested into innovation
- Global Reach: Operations in over 50 countries, with installations in 100+ markets
In Australia, TOMRA Food supports some of the region’s largest produce exporters, packhouses, and food processors through its local engineering and support teams.
Target Market
- Fruit and Vegetable Packers requiring accurate defect detection and product consistency
- Frozen and Processed Food Companies focused on automation and compliance
- Exporters seeking to meet global grading standards and optimize yields
- Retail Suppliers looking to deliver uniform, traceable, and premium-quality produce
Australian clients include top exporters of citrus, cherries, and apples, as well as processors of potatoes, nuts, and dried fruit.
Capabilities
- Advanced Engineering and Customization: Local specialists offer machine integration tailored to client lines
- AI-Powered Detection: Machine-learning models customized per commodity and region
- 24/7 Technical Support: Real-time diagnostics, remote troubleshooting, and field engineer deployments
- Sustainability Compliance: Machines designed to meet food safety (HACCP, GFSI) and energy efficiency standards
Certifications and Compliance
- HACCP-aligned sorting systems
- CE and ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing practices
- Compliant with EU and APAC food safety standards
- TOMRA Insight platform supports traceability and audit reporting
Achievements
- Recognized as the world leader in food sorting technology, with more than 12,800 machines installed globally
- Awarded “Best Food Processing Innovation” by multiple international agricultural trade organizations
- Developed pioneering solutions like Inspectra², a non-destructive internal defect detection system
- Supported major Australian cherry and apple exporters in meeting China and U.S. phytosanitary grading standards
Customer Testimonials
“Since deploying TOMRA’s platform, we’ve improved our packout rate by 15% and significantly reduced labor costs.”
— Operations Manager, Australian Apple Exporter
“The system’s defect detection accuracy and TOMRA’s local support are world-class.”
— Quality Control Lead, Major Australian Citrus Packer
Brands
TOMRA Food delivers its solutions under globally recognized proprietary platforms, including:
- TOMRA 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5S
- Spectrim™, Inspectra²™, UltraView™
- TOMRA Insight (cloud-based platform)
