New research led by the University of Portsmouth is set to improve forecasting accuracy and reduce produce waste at a leading local grower, Isle of Wight Tomatoes (IOWT).
As a company independently certified to meet high standards for people and the planet, sustainability sits at the heart of Isle of Wight Tomatoes' operations. Their onsite kitchen plays a vital role in ensuring every tomato grown is valued, including those that fall outside retail cosmetic standards but still offer exceptional flavour.
By transforming these into sauces, passatas and other products, the business embraces a circular approach that reduces waste while celebrating the full potential of the harvest.
With a mission to become a zero-waste business, this latest collaboration with the University of Portsmouth represents a significant step forward, not only for Isle of Wight Tomatoes, but potentially for the wider industry.
Led by Dr Huijing Chen , from the School of Organisations, Systems and People at the University of Portsmouth, the project aims to support IOWT by harnessing the power of predictive analytics to understand the impact from weather-driven crop growth to major sporting events such as the World cup influence tomato sales.
This collaboration has been made possible by a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) , which drives innovation and growth in businesses and organisations. With a portfolio of live projects worth over £4 million at the University of Portsmouth, it is this investment that has made the collaborative partnership a reality.
This project is about using data to take the guesswork out of tomato production. As fresh tomatoes are perishable, getting the balance between supply and demand right is essential - both for reducing waste and driving profit.
Dr Huijing Chen, School of Organisations, Systems and People at the University of Portsmouth
The team of researchers includes Dr Chen and Professor Chris Simms from the University's Faculty of Business and Law and Dr Edward Smart from the Faculty of Technology. They will use predictive models to maximise the production of tomatoes across the whole farming process, from growing to sales and distribution. This includes forecasting demand based on weather, promotions and seasonal trends.
The funding will support the development of advanced analytics and machine learning, bringing crop growth and sales forecasting together into one unified system to drive better, more informed decision-making.
Dr Chen, Associate Professor in Management Science at the University of Portsmouth, said: "This project is about using data to take the guesswork out of tomato production. As fresh tomatoes are perishable, getting the balance between supply and demand right is essential - both for reducing waste and driving profit.
"What's fascinating is how many factors can influence that balance; seasonal weather can affect how crops grow, while events like the World Cup or Wimbledon can shift consumer demand overnight. By analysing past data, we can identify those patterns and make smarter, more proactive decisions."
One of the most valuable aspects of this project is the range of challenges that data can help address. On one side, we're looking at demand patterns across a range of customers in different categories - which can vary significantly and using those insights to shape smarter commercial strategies.
Paul Thomas, Managing Director at Isle of Wight Tomatoes
The success of this collaboration will not only grow international sales but by accurately forecasting, IOWT aim to capture 10 per cent of the overall domestic market, while also exploring new opportunities beyond their current offering.
Paul Thomas, Managing Director at Isle of Wight Tomatoes, said: "One of the most valuable aspects of this project is the range of challenges that data can help address. On one side, we're looking at demand patterns across a range of customers in different categories - which can vary significantly and using those insights to shape smarter commercial strategies.
"On the other, there's a broader opportunity to support UK production and reduce dependence on imports. Helping UK retailers' source domestically isn't just good for business, it's good for sustainability and national food security too."
This project builds on a number of other innovative initiatives made possible by the KTP, including the development of an AI- enabled, self-service supply chain automation platform for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), a scientifically validated Tyre Toxicity Index, an AI technology enhanced service and a system for recycling aircraft composite materials.
