Distribution centers
Čelarevo
Within the orchards in Čelarevo, there are two modern Ultra Low Oxygen (ULO) cold storage units with a total capacity of 20,000 tons, allowing the entire apple crop to be stored in chambers for up to 300 days if needed.
One of the unique features of these cold storage units is that harvested apples enter directly into the chamber without any chemical treatment, which is common practice with standard ULO cold storage units.
During the entire storage period, the atmospheric composition is adjusted to meet the needs of the apples, making the ULO cold storage in Čelarevo unique in this part of Europe.
The cold storage is equipped with a MafRoda line for calibrating and packing apples (by color, diameter, and weight), with a capacity of up to 20 tons per hour. It consists of a reception area where a robotic system automatically picks up a full pallet of apples, empties it, and returns it to a different position where empty pallets are stored.
The apples are transported by water to the apple calibration machine. During this process, each apple is photographed up to 40 times by HD cameras on the machine, ensuring that only uniform, high-quality apples are packed. These sorted apples are then stored in the cold storage until they are ready for packing and delivery.
Zaječar
Our new ULO cold storage facility, “World of Freshness,” for storing apples and cherries is located in Zaječar, on a 2-hectare area, with a capacity of 6,400 tons and plans to expand the capacity to an impressive 24,000 tons in the near future. The cold storage is equipped with the most modern MafRoda line for calibrating and packing cherries, as well as a hydrocooler that naturally reduces the temperature of the cherries to two degrees Celsius through water cooling, preserving the freshness of this fruit.
Since the cold storage is located right next to Delta Agrar’s orchards, the entire production process is integrated, and the time from harvesting to storage is maximally shortened and controlled, ensuring the best quality and enjoyment of cherries with full flavor and shine, as if they were freshly picked from the tree. In other words, the cherries finally receive the treatment they deserve, as the temperature in the cold storage is 2°C, which is considered the ideal atmosphere for the fruit to stay fresh and retain all its characteristics.
LDC, Nova Pazova
In Nova Pazova, we have our most modern logistics and distribution center, “World of Freshness,” covering an area of 4,300 m². As a unique location for receiving, handling, storing, and packing fruits and vegetables from around the world, it is also notable for having the most modern banana ripening facility.
Banana Ripening Facility
The journey of a banana, a fruit that connects distant regions of Latin America with our tables, takes about a month on average. Bananas are harvested when they reach about three-quarters of their ripeness, as climacteric fruits have the ability to continue ripening after being picked. Equipped with the best technology, segments are carefully separated, cut, and packed into cardboard boxes, preparing them for their journey.
After leaving the plantations, bananas are transported across the ocean to European ports, arriving to us from countries like Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica. The journey is not short, but thanks to careful transport, the bananas arrive fresh and ready for further processing.
When they arrive at our distribution center, bananas undergo strict quality control. Technologists conduct a detailed inspection to ensure that each banana meets the standards. Hardness, color, and aroma are carefully evaluated before determining the next steps.
The next step is the ripening process, where bananas enter a ripening facility equipped with the most modern technology. The “EHO PENTHOUSE” system enables quick and even ripening, with air flowing through the pallets, allowing each banana to reach perfect ripeness. This system also allows for remote control, simplifying the process.
Finally, after several days in the ripening facility, the bananas reach their peak ripeness. With a carefully controlled ripening process, each banana becomes perfectly sweet and juicy, ready for further distribution. By applying the advanced technology we possess at Delta Agrar, we provide our customers with bananas that offer top freshness and quality in every bite.