Efficiency and innovation in fruit production
Hvordan utvikler man en mest mulig effektiv verdikjede for epledyrking? Aggrator-partner Tone Blixøen dro nylig til Bø i Telemark for å besøke Jarl-Olav Rugtveit, en av Norges største eple- og plommedyrkere. Telemark Frukthageservice, Rugtveit sitt selskap, er medlem av Aggrator StartUp.
Rugtveit is an innovative fruit farmer who has developed a holistic value chain with a focus on efficiency in all stages of production. With his impressive 500 hectares of orchards – about five times as much as the second largest producer in Telemark – he has managed to build a highly efficient operating model.
He delivers around 1,200 tons of apples and 130 tons of plums annually, and expects a turnover of 12 million kroner when production is in full operation (Nettavisen, 2023 ).
Holistic value chain and collaboration with Bama
The fruit farmer has focused particularly on the apple varieties Fryd and Eden, two varieties that Bama has trademarked. He believes it is crucial for fruit farmers to think innovatively and to know their market and customers well.
However, Rugtveit is much more than "just" a fruit farmer. He has several business areas related to apple production. Through the company FIMEX, he imports and sells equipment and machinery for fruit growing, which is sold all over Norway. He offers technology in fruit growing expertise and operation of andre farms.
Another of Rugtveit's innovation projects is the co-ownership of Telemark Fruktpakkeri – Norway's largest and most advanced fruit packing plant. It uses robotics and artificial intelligence to ensure that the fruit meets customers' strict specifications, setting a new standard for Norwegian fruit production.
Through his work, Rugtveit has shown that it is possible to create a future-oriented, sustainable and profitable value chain within fruit production.
Vi heier på nytekning og innovasjon og er glad for at Jarl-Olav Rugtveit og Telemark Frukthageservice/ FIMEX har valgt Aggrator som partner på deres vekstreise.
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