The Solution

Valley Harvest Group partnered with RMR Process to implement an innovative processing model:

  1. Localised Processing: Established automated processing facilities near farms rather than at distant centralized locations

  2. Custom Automation: Implemented specialized equipment designed specifically for their fruit products

  3. Value-Added Processing: Developed capabilities to transform imperfect or surplus produce into juices and fruit pieces

  4. Integrated Systems: Created seamless processing workflows from harvest to final product

Case Study:

Valley Harvest Group

The Challenge

Valley Harvest Group, an Australian producer of juices and fruit pieces, faced significant challenges common to many agricultural businesses:

  1. Product Waste: Substantial amounts of produce were being discarded due to cosmetic imperfections or processing limitations

  2. Value Addition: Difficulty capturing more value from their 100% Australian-grown products

  3. Environmental Impact: Traditional processing methods required transporting produce long distances from farms to centralized facilities

  4. Market Pressure: Increasing competition and price pressure in the agricultural sector

These challenges threatened both the profitability and sustainability of their operations.

The Results

The partnership delivered transformative outcomes:

  • Reduced Waste: Significantly decreased produce waste by utilizing fruit that would otherwise be discarded

  • Higher Value Products: Successfully converted raw agricultural outputs into higher-margin processed products

  • Environmental Benefits: Minimized transportation requirements and associated carbon emissions

  • Stronger Supply Chain: Created a more resilient and sustainable farm-to-market pathway

  • Community Impact: Strengthened regional agricultural communities by adding processing jobs and capabilities

Key Takeaway

Valley Harvest Group's experience demonstrates how strategic automation at the farm-gate level can transform agricultural challenges into opportunities, reducing waste while creating more value from Australian-grown produce.

"By bringing processing capabilities closer to the source and implementing smart automation, we've been able to reduce waste, improve product quality, and create a more sustainable business model for Australian agriculture."