First Belgian Grower Joins Pre-Commercial Trials of Snack Tomato Harvest Robot
A Belgian tomato producer will become the first in the country to test inaho’s snack tomato harvesting robot, marking a new phase in the company’s European rollout.
After two years of field trials in the Netherlands, the Japan-based robotics firm says its harvesting system has reached “commercial-ready” performance levels. Olbrechts Tomaten has signed on as the first Belgian trial partner for the 2026 season.
According to Managing Director Yu Mizuki, the robot has entered its final pre-commercial stage, with only one remaining trial slot available for next year.
Strong Results in Dutch Trials
During 2025 trials with a Dutch snack tomato grower, inaho’s robots achieved significant performance improvements.
The harvesting rate now consistently exceeds 45 percent, enabling human workers to manage two additional rows per day. Operating speed has surpassed 20 kilograms per hour per unit, meaning four robots can cover approximately one hectare. The company also reported stable operations with no major breakdowns during real production use.
Compared to earlier versions, the system shows roughly double the harvesting speed and triple the harvest rate, improvements Mizuki describes as bringing the technology to a commercially viable level.
Belgian Trial Signals Broader European Interest
Jeroen Olbrechts, owner of Olbrechts Tomaten, said the company’s Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model made participation more accessible.
“There’s no large upfront investment, and the usage fees are comparable to human labor costs,” Olbrechts said. “For us, this trial is about preparing our team and systems for the next step in automation.”
Mizuki noted that adding a Belgian partner reflects growing interest across Europe. “The technology has reached a commercial-ready level,” he said. “Now is the time for growers to prepare operationally and strategically.”
Limited 2026 Trial Program
Inaho is offering a limited, one-month field trial during the 2026 season. Only one slot remains open.
The company says participants will be selected based on operational readiness and greenhouse compatibility. Early trial partners will receive priority access during future commercial rollout, as well as early pricing and integration support.
The move comes as European greenhouse operators increasingly explore automation to address labor shortages and rising production costs. If the Belgian trial delivers results similar to those seen in the Netherlands, the snack tomato sector could see broader adoption in the near term.
