BORISA is our fruits brand, synonymous with quality and value-added.
Agrotime works to achieve utmost customer satisfaction, ensuring we provide fruits with excellent taste and visual qualities.
This is achieved through attention to detail at all levels through growing, picking, cooling, packaging and transportation.
CHERRIES
THE ORCHARDS
Agrotime started its cherry growing activity in 2003 by planting a cherry orchard on approximately 20 hectares in Podayva Village in North East Bulgaria. By 2015 this had been increased to 40 hectares, and by the autumn of 2022 the total cultivated area for cherries are some 78 hectares (193 acres). The orchard is fully equipped with a drip irrigation system. In the spring of 2017, in collaboration with the Israeli developer Ben Dor, we also set up an experimental orchard for novel varieties of apricots, plums, peaches, apples and pears.
We select varieties of cherry to give us the longest possible harvesting time, with early varieties like Bigarreau Burlat, Royal Ancel, Sabrina, followed by mid-season varieties: Vanda, Van, Tehlovan, Stella, Red Pacific, Frisco, Sofia, Reinier, Skeena, Royal Edie, and then later-ripening varieties, such as Kordia, Sam, Silvia, Lapin, Bing, Karina, Regina, Sweetheart, Staccato, Fertard.
Our orchard is where the attention to detail begins. We cultivate our trees with care and pay particular attention to ensuring Borisa cherries have all the space, light and nutrients necessary to grow fruit full of flavour and goodness before they are handpicked and packaged.
Agrotime started its cherry growing activity in 2003 by planting a cherry orchard on approximately 20 hectares in Podayva Village in North East Bulgaria. By 2015 this had been increased to 40 hectares, and by the autumn of 2022 the total cultivated area for cherries are some 78 hectares (193 acres). The orchard is fully equipped with a drip irrigation system. In the spring of 2017, in collaboration with the Israeli developer Ben Dor, we also set up an experimental orchard for novel varieties of apricots, plums, peaches, apples and pears.CHERRY PICKING
Each year the cherry picking season begins some time in late May, with the hiring of seasonal workers from the local villages. The cherry quality is tested as to sugar level, colour and size and at the right moment the picking begins.
Each year the cherry picking season begins some time in late May, with the hiring of seasonal workers from the local villages. The cherry quality is tested as to sugar level, colour and size and at the right moment the picking begins.Cherries are carefully picked into numbered crates to identify the picker group, no more than half-full (approx 10 Kg) to ensure the bottom layers do not get crushed – no leaves, no bunches, preferably all on stalks. Crates are collected and taken to the on-site weighing station, and immediately placed into refrigerated vans, which take the cherries within maximum two hours of picking to the cooling plant.
Picking lasts until all varieties have been gathered – in a good year over two months – after which the trees are pruned and re-planting is carried out as necessary.
THE BORISA PACKING PLANT
At the Borisa cooling plant the crates are again weighed and placed into the first stage of the hydrocooling process, as a result of which, entering the sorting line they are already chilled.
They then pass through the four-channel sorting line, and are packed into 5Kg boxes, separated according to quality and size. The higher quality cherries are packed into boxes with special plastic liners, which after twenty four hours in the cold store are ready for their onward journeys.
High quality product is delivered to major supermarkets in Bulgaria, and the highest quality product is delivered to UK to our wholesale partners, with onward distribution to retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s etc.
With its product quality checks in the orchard and through the entire sorting and packaging process, Agrotime implements a traceability system from the orchard to the supermarket shelf.
THE OPENING OF THE CHERRY SORTING LINE, MAY 2016
Agrotime has recently invested in a UNITEC four-lane electronic cherry sorter, increasing its hourly capacity to 2 tonnes. Cherries are sorted and packed according to customer specifications and demands. The plant also has cold storage facilities for 800 tonnes of fruit, and two modified atmosphere storage chambers in order to prolong fruit storage life. By these means we are able to offer high quality fruits for the entire season, consolidating our reputation as a reliable partner.
GOING FORWARD – NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT BORISA
The BORISA site is currently a modern centre for sorting, harvesting and packaging of fruits, open all year round. After putting into operation the cherry line, we invested in a line for sorting and packing of stone fruits, as well as in the purchase of two machines for packing the fruits in plates – tray sealer and flow pack. With the newly purchased modern equipment we can guarantee our customers the highest possible standard for fruit quality. That is why we are currently the preferred year-round supplier of fruits to all Bulgarian supermarket chains, an image that we have been building for more than ten years.
BORISA works all year round with fruits, mainly from Bulgarian growers, but also with imported fruits. In addition to cherries, our core production, we also grow Hinap, which are very popular now on the Bulgarian market. We also work with other cherry orchards, and with Bulgarian producers of pears, apricots, nectarines, plums, strawberries, raspberries, table grapes, blueberries, golden kiwi and more.
STONE FRUITS
We recently installed a line for sorting and packaging of stone fruits (plums, apricots and nectarines) purchased from the New Zealand company COMPAC – a leader in the production of such equipment, which has the exclusive functionality for measuring the sugar content of fruits.
With its commissioning, the BORISA site has expanded its range of sorted and packaged fruits, in packages according to the most demanding requirements of the client.
NEW INNOVATIVE VARIETIES
In 2017, together with the Israeli company BEN DOR, we started the construction of an experimental orchard in order to test in Bulgarian conditions new, attractive varieties of plums, nectarines, pears and early apples. In the spring of 2021. this project was expanded with the planting of new 6 ha of pear plantations, again a selection of BEN DOR. The varieties are specially selected, with an emphasis on taste and aroma, and last but not least on the attractive appearance of the fruits, such as are the world trends in the fruit business.
BORISA practically proves that fruit growing in Bulgaria can be a stable and reliable business, and Bulgarian fruits are preferred in Bulgarian supermarkets, thanks to their excellent taste.
CERTIFICATES
