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On 8 May, Hungary's leading tomato paste producer UNIVER Product Plc. announced its intention to double its annual raw tomato processing capacity to reach 140 000 tonnes. After completion of the total investment of EUR 13.9 million, one of Central Europe's largest and most modern tomato processing plants started operating at UNIVER's Kecskemét site from August 2017.
The new investment made by UNIVER Product Plc., a company established in 1948 and with 100% Hungarian ownership, not only increases its capacities, but also introduces significant technological innovations, as well as creates new jobs. The facility’s operations will be increased every year, with plans to reach a full capacity of 140 000 tonnes in the next few years. The equipment used at the new plant is built by the global leader of tomato processing lines, Catelli Food Technology (CFT), located in Parma, Italy. CFT’s Apollo pre-evaporator line uses the latest technology, so it is not only more energy efficient, but also produces better quality tomato paste as a finished product.
This investment fits into UNIVER Product’s traditions: the increased raw material demand is sourced exclusively from tomatoes grown in Hungary. Supplying quality Hungarian tomatoes is a priority task for the purchasing and production department. In order to support the performance of this task, the company has established a reference farm 20 km from the factory. The 187-hectare reference farm in Szentkirály was set up with the aim of creating a knowledge base where local agricultural communities are given support through research in tomato species and technologies, expert advice and production technology services (planting of seedlings, harvesting, etc.). This will allow the larger capacity needs of the expanded plant to be met with superb quality, locally grown raw materials.
Univer will be increasing the plant’s output continuously on a step by step basis from 80,000 tonnes this year to the 140,000 tonnes total capacity. 
(See also our articles in the March and September 2014 issues of Tomato News.)
