How One Supermarket Boosted Fruit Sales by 110%

ASTRA Inc. is a Japanese manufacturer of automatic fruit-peeling machines serving customers in more than 70 countries.

ASTRA's technology is being used in real food-processing operations, including a deployment across 90 stores of Japanese supermarket chain YAOKO.

At a glance

Automatic Fruit-Peeling Technology Designed for Versatility

ASTRA develops automatic fruit-peeling machines combining simple operation, adaptability to different fruit shapes and adjustable peeling parameters. The equipment is designed to accommodate variations in fruit size, shape and ripeness.

Key features include:

• Easy operation: Place the fruit in the machine and press a button to begin the peeling process. The operating procedure is designed to be accessible to new users.
• Automatic shape tracking: The peeling mechanism follows the contours of the fruit, adapting to variations in size and irregular shapes.
• Customizable peeling: Interchangeable attachments and pins, combined with adjustable peeling depths, allow the equipment to be configured for different fruit varieties and conditions.
• Safety and hygiene: ASTRA identifies NSF and CE compliance among the features of its equipment. Certification details should be checked for each specific model.
• Made in Japan: ASTRA machines are manufactured at the company's factory in Fukushima, Japan, with an emphasis on durability and long-term after-sales support.

Case Study: How YAOKO Improved Fruit Processing with ASTRA's KA-700H

Labour shortages and time-consuming manual preparation can limit the ability of supermarkets and food-processing facilities to expand their fresh-cut fruit offerings. A case study from YAOKO, a major Japanese supermarket chain, demonstrates how automatic peeling equipment can help address these operational challenges.

YAOKO introduced ASTRA's compact electric peeler, the KA-700H, across 90 of its supermarkets. The objective was to improve preparation efficiency, reduce dependence on manual peeling and free up staff time to develop a wider range of ready-to-eat fruit products.

According to YAOKO's customer testimonial, the deployment delivered measurable operational improvements.

The Challenge: Limited Labour and Manual Preparation

Before introducing the KA-700H, YAOKO relied on staff using knives to peel fruit manually. Preparation time varied depending on employee experience, and the workload made it difficult to expand the selection of cut-fruit products.

The supermarket chain wanted to improve processing efficiency while developing new ready-to-eat fruit options. However, the labour required for daily preparation was a significant constraint.

The Solution: Reducing Preparation Time to One-Third

The introduction of ASTRA's KA-700H electric peeler significantly reduced the preparation time required for sliced oranges.

This represents a reduction of approximately two-thirds in preparation time for the reported task. The KA-700H also helped reduce differences in preparation speed associated with varying staff experience.

The Result: More Time for Value-Added Fruit Products

Rather than using the time savings solely to reduce labour requirements, YAOKO redirected staff resources toward developing and preparing additional cut-fruit products.

This included expanding the selection of single-variety seasonal fruit packs, such as pre-cut Japanese pears, alongside existing fruit assortments. According to YAOKO, the new offerings helped the company reach different customer groups, including younger consumers interested in convenient, ready-to-eat portions.

Following these operational and merchandising changes, YAOKO reported cut-fruit department sales reaching 110% of the previous year's level, equivalent to approximately 10% year-over-year growth.

YAOKO uses the KA-700H for several types of fruit, including oranges, kiwis, apples, pears and peaches. This versatility supports the preparation of seasonal products without relying exclusively on manual peeling.

The case illustrates how automated fruit preparation can support both operational efficiency and product range development. The reported results reflect YAOKO's specific operating conditions and merchandising initiatives.

Read the Full YAOKO Case Study

Japanese Manufacturing Expertise

ASTRA manufactures its automatic fruit-peeling machines in Fukushima, Japan. Each machine is produced individually, reflecting the manufacturer's focus on manufacturing quality and durability.

With customers in more than 70 countries, ASTRA has established an international presence in automatic fruit-peeling technology.

The YAOKO case study provides a practical example of how ASTRA equipment can be incorporated into daily retail food-preparation workflows, supporting more efficient processing and greater flexibility in product offerings.

Discover ASTRA's Solutions with ES Canada

Canadian food-processing professionals can discover ASTRA's Japanese automatic fruit-peeling technology.

The YAOKO experience also highlights a broader consideration for supermarkets and food-processing facilities: reducing repetitive preparation tasks can help make staff time available for additional product development and higher-value activities.

ES Canada features ASTRA's automatic fruit-peeling machines in its product portfolio.

To learn more about ASTRA's equipment, ES Canada can be contacted to discuss your fruit-processing requirements and explore the available solutions.

Interested in ASTRA's automatic fruit-peeling machines?