Fresh, local and healthy produce; these values are at the heart of our philosophy. Family-favourite Univer has been making delicious dressings and sumptuous sauces since 1948 and is the established leader of delicious foods in Hungary. The company employs approximately 600 people directly - nearly half of them for more than 10 years - and provides work and living to hundreds of Hungarian farmers. Furthermore, environmental consciousness is an important aspect of Univer’s life. It permeates every aspects of the operation - with particular regard to energy efficiency and reduced waste emission.
Germany, Poland, Romania and Hungary is our main market, but we plan to expand in Europe with new developements and further investments.
Our facility is Hungary's largest factory in its category. Univer Product Plc. has got up-to-date producing technology. It is a new cutting-edge tomato processing system which is able to process 4,300 tons of raw tomatoes per day. And we are planning to further increase our capacities.
The raw material supply system of Univer was established in 1975. This system is based exclusively on hundreds of Hungarian farmers, working in the area of Kecskemét within 80 km-s. It’s quite common that these days the second and third generation of the primary producers – the sons and grandsons of the farmers of the founding age – are supplying the fine quality raw materials of the products. This is how we secure a living for hundreds of local families...
Univer tomato concentrate contains 100% fresh tomatoes from Hungarian growers.
The region has decades of tradition in open field tomato cultivation. The Univer reference farm revives this tradition by fulfilling the most recent requirements, helping the local agricultural communities permanently. Univer introduces modern methods, varieties and technologies, handing them over to local farmers, who can constantly supply high-quality raw materials to the new Univer tomato processing plant. The role of the reference farm is far beyond tomato cultivation and propagation. The reference farm provides services for the farmers and acts as a base of technical equipments as well.
Welcome to the 2025 Tomato Season!
We are thrilled to share the latest updates on this year’s industrial tomato cultivation in Hungary! The 2025 season kicked off with excitement, and thanks to the expertise of our growers and the use of modern technologies, our fields are currently in spectacular shape, ready for harvest. Let’s take a look at how the season has unfolded so far and why we are so optimistic!
The Start of the Season: Challenges and Successes
The planting began in the last week of April, immediately tested by the weather: unusually early heat exceeding 30°C posed a real challenge. May’s ground frosts didn’t make things easier, but our growers’ preparedness and advanced agrotechnical solutions ensured that the seedlings started the season strong and healthy. This flexibility and expertise laid the foundation for success in the first weeks!
May: Steady Preparations
The cooler May weather slowed the pace, but it provided an opportunity for thorough preparations. The cold kept pathogens and pests at bay, allowing growers to focus on field maintenance. This period created the perfect conditions for the plants’ robust development later on.
June: Dynamic Growth and Preparation
From late May, warmer weather brought new momentum: the tomato crops began to thrive, and the fields truly came alive! Weed control efforts started on time, enabling uninterrupted plant growth. The forecasted June drought didn’t catch us off guard: thanks to swift communication within the grower community and modern irrigation systems, the fields received optimal water supply. The result? Strong, healthy plants that already promise an excellent yield!
Current Status: A Vibrant Green Carpet
By the end of June, the fields transformed into a true marvel: the tomato plants have closed ranks, creating a vibrant, healthy green carpet across the fields. Hungary’s industrial tomato crops are currently in peak condition, perfectly balanced from a physiological standpoint. This breathtaking sight and the plants’ excellent state fill us with pride and optimism for the second half of the season.
Outlook: Promising Harvest on the Horizon!
Based on the current results, everything is in place for a successful 2025 season. While the total yield may be lower than in previous years, certain fields are expected to produce outstanding per-hectare yields. The collaboration among growers, advanced technologies, and careful farming practices guarantee that we will harvest premium-quality industrial tomatoes, further strengthening the reputation of Hungarian tomatoes both domestically and internationally.
Closing Thoughts
The successes of the 2025 season so far demonstrate that the dedication and expertise of Hungarian growers can overcome any challenge. We are proud to be part of this process and can’t wait to share the outstanding results of the harvest with you! Thank you for following our work, and stay with us for the rest of the season!
Production
We continuously track and help our producers from as early the selection and planting of seedlings. Whenever necessary, we provide them with technological assistance and professional advice.
Before harvesting begins, samples are taken from produce grown both by Univer and our producers. The samples are used during tests for measuring heavy metals content, the presence of pesticides and any spraying agent residue. Only feedstock that complies with test parameters and has an accurately kept spraying log may enter tomato processing plant premises. The combine used for harvesting the crop is equipped with a state-of-the-art automatic on site colour sorter to guarantee that the quality of feedstock entering the plant is excellent.
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The Univer brand tomato paste contains 100% fresh tomatoes from Hungarian producers, at the same time the manufacturer cooperates with these producers in the development of procedures for boosting biological value.
The Univer brand tomato paste contains 100% fresh tomatoes from Hungarian producers, at the same time the manufacturer cooperates with these producers in the development of procedures for boosting biological value.
Compared to concentrated tomatoes, PASSATA is a tomato product with a softer, more liquid texture. In addition to its many advantages, the product does not require dilution. The greatness of Passata lies in its simplicity, yet it can be used in a variety of ways, even with well-known dishes such as pizza or spaghetti.
Univer brand Drinks are made of real fruit and vegetables produced in Hungary. Univer has managed to avoid using preservatives, flavour enhancers and the army of ‘E’ coded additives.
The Univer brand tomato paste contains 100% fresh tomatoes from Hungarian producers, at the same time the manufacturer cooperates with these producers in the development of procedures for boosting biological value.
Univer ketchup is a finely seasoned ketchup. Its pleasant flavour ensures a wide range of uses. The green fleck in the graphics of our newly developed products guarantee that your favourite product is free of any kinds of additives.
Read more about Ketchup products.
