Omar Papi, managing director of the Italian fruit grading technology company, explains how AI has taken date quality selection to a whole new level
Omar, you’ve made some big steps forward recently with automating the packing and grading process for dates. What kind of innovations have you been able to come up with?
Omar Papi: Our company has always considered itself a pioneer in exploring innovative markets and unusual products. In my past work, I began studying and pioneering date calibration over 20 years ago in Israel.
We gained some experience with Futura about 7-8 years ago, specifically for Medjool dates, but I believe the technology used at that time did not yet reflect the full potential available today.
A few years ago, after carefully studying the product, needs, markets, and current competitors, we decided to create a completely innovative solution, which I believe is unique on the market. We believe there is an increasing need for automatic calibration and packaging of this product.
Clearly, the level of line automation is determined by the type and variety of dates being processed – there are substantial differences in selling prices for different dates, such as Medjool or other cheaper ones – and the final destination country, where labour is often significantly cheaper than in Europe.
Before beginning the actual development of this new date sorter, we set ourselves some key objectives, which have now become reality. These were as follows:
Reliability
The machine was designed with a unique concept of durability and reliability. It is made entirely of AISI 304 stainless steel and with the highest quality components. This minimises the sugar residue left by the dates and the need for continuous machine washing.
Compactness
It is extremely compact, and this reduces the amount of warehouse space required, which is often insufficient to accommodate overly bulky machines.
Productivity
We have achieved very high levels. Considering that we often process dates weighing no more than 7-8g on average, each machine can easily process up to six tonnes per hour. For larger capacities, by combining two machines, we can reach up to 12 tonnes per hour.
Precision
Using our electronic system, we have achieved very high performance, far exceeding normal market demands.
Ease of use
One of our key inputs was to create a user-friendly system that is easy to interpret and manage. Very often, our customers’ operators are not qualified technicians. Furthermore, the system is fully manageable remotely, allowing us complete control and any troubleshooting with a simple connection.
The basic sorting is done by diameter, size, and colour, but we almost always include automatic detection of external defects.
Our software systems for external inspection of dates are entirely developed with artificial intelligence, which allows us to automatically detect and analyse the various types of defects for the various types of dates.
This creates ‘classes’ that are easily identifiable and selectable by our clients. Furthermore, if their needs change during the production season, the system can easily adapt to those new requirements.
How is international market demand for your quality control solutions evolving, and which new countries are showing the greatest interest?
OP: We have graders that can automatically sort almost all fruit and vegetable products. Artificial intelligence helps us greatly with customisation, but they are not required for all markets. It has certainly become almost standard for European countries and areas with higher labour costs, but not yet in many other countries we serve.
Artificial intelligence is transforming many industries: how is Futura integrating AI into its systems to improve efficiency and precision?
OP: We’re not shy about saying that our company only began developing external quality assurance software a few years ago; we certainly weren’t the first to enter the market.
But this ‘delay’ has now become a benefit, as we’re proud to announce that we’re one of the few companies using software for external quality assurance vision systems developed entirely with artificial intelligence.
This allows us to have extremely flexible, simple, and highly intuitive systems that can be easily configured and adjusted based on the needs of different customers and markets.
Have you entered into new partnerships or strategic agreements with companies in the agri-food or technology sectors?
OP: Futura’s sales policies have long been established in all CIS countries, through our direct headquarters in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from where we also manage after-sales services. In 2024, to consolidate our direct presence further, Futura AZ was established in Baku, a company dedicated exclusively to Azerbaijan.
Through our Azeri collaborators, we are proud to announce that we are currently the only local company capable of providing complete turnkey solutions. We assess each client’s needs, then manage the design and construction of the warehouse, coldstorage, and grading system.
In 2026, we will open two additional, high-capacity fruit and vegetable processing plants – one for the peach and flat peach season, the other for apples in the winter.
Without being presumptuous, we are one of the most established companies in these regions. We have gained great credibility, thanks to our continuity and professionalism. And we have installed several systems – at least fifteen in different countries in the area.
What are Futura’s priorities for the coming year? For example, any new products, expansion, or areas of research?
OP: We’ve been planning our activities and trade shows for 2026 for some time now. We will dedicate significant resources to Arab countries, primarily for the commercial development of our new date line.
The upcoming Gulfood Manufacturing trade show at Dubai World Trade Center will be a key opportunity to meet people and formalise new business agreements in the region.
It takes place on 4-6 November and you’ll find us in Hall S3, Stand B-71. We have been exhibiting at this trade show for several years, and it’s a key event for us in the entire Middle East.
After that, we will exhibit for the first time at Agro Food Expo trade show in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 27-28 November. We’ve decided to participate not only for our customers in Georgia, but also for those in Armenia.
After that, we will prepare for Fruit Logistica in Berlin. This is still undoubtedly our main fair, where we have the opportunity to meet all our partners, collaborators, and as many customers as possible.
Futura
Via R. Mattioli, 136/156
47522 Cesena (FC) Italy
Tel (+39) 0547 632749
info@futura-tecnology.com
www.futura-grading.com
