Technology news from Eurofruit
Technology news stories with a direct relevance to the European fresh produce business, including updates on production and harvesting systems, sorting and grading machinery, packaging, coldstorage and controlled atmosphere, digital management, robots and automation, vertical farming, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Saga Robotics raises £8.4mn as Thorvald enters commercial breakout phase
Big moment for the robotics company as it transitions from initial market traction to large-scale commercial adoption
Maf Roda harnesses AI and robotics to advance postharvest technology
Company’s latest innovations have a strong focus on AI, smart robotics, and operational efficiency
IFPA Southern Africa Conference addresses export challenges
The International Fresh Produce Association’s fourth Southern Africa Conference brought together industry leaders to address evolving challenges and opportunities across the fresh produce supply chain
Video: Extreme weather cuts English pea harvest after strong start
Pea grower reports yields approximately 25 per cent below contracted tonnage following a challenging end to what had initially promised to be an exceptional season
Kenya’s avocado exporters scale up
As Kenya rises in the global avocado ranks, exporters like Karakuta and Keitt are investing in infrastructure, orchards and market diversification to stay ahead of the competition
Fresh Del Monte CEO warns of global banana shortage
Fresh Del Monte Produce’s chairman and CEO Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh has issued a stark warning about a global banana shortage, citing the spread of diseases and climate change as key factors affecting production
Egyptian avocado producer Pico plans significant plantation expansion
Suppliers eyes strategic growth in avocado production, taking advantage of Egypt’s advantageous supply window that largely avoids the dominant producers
Unifrutti issues fraud alert following suspicious communications
International fresh produce company has alerted the industry to fraudulent communications from various sources, which are said to have falsely claimed to represent the group and solicited payments
Australian growers trial advanced tech to cut labour costs
Researchers in Victoria believe new technologies can reduce labour costs in Australian apple and pear industry
Bayer advances registration for groundbreaking herbicide icafolin-methyl
Bayer is advancing registration applications for icafolin-methyl, agriculture’s first new mode of action for post-emergent weed control in over 30 years, with estimated peak sales potential of €750mn
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OSY Group partners with Sharpak to extend soft fruit shelf-life
Food tech specialist OSY Group has announced a commercial partnership with packaging manufacturer Sharpak Aylesham to extend the shelf-life of soft fruits sold through UK supermarkets using innovative antimicrobial coating technology
Serbia and Romania lead blueberry charge
Southeast Europe is emerging as a powerhouse in premium blueberry production, with increasing professionalisation and technological development helping to deliver consistently high quality
Fidelio to acquire Nordic Capital’s stake in Greenfood
Stockholm-based investment group Fidelio set to acquire Nordic Capital’s majority stake in fresh produce marketer Greenfood, building on its 15-year minority shareholding to support the company’s international growth ambitions
Viscon targets early detection with EVA
The Dutch company’s new EVA Scoutr robot has the ability to detect pests and diseases early, helping to improve crop health and reduce losses for greenhouse vegetable growers
Survey: AI and automation in fresh produce supply chains
Fruitnet reaches out to fruit and veg business professionals to investigate current and future impact of groundbreaking new technologies
Afrucat, Eurecat Lleida join forces to fast-track innovation
Collaboration will promote technologies such as robotics, AI, biotechnology and much more
Biobest acquires key technology from partner Ecoation
The biocontrol specialist has purchased monitoring and scouting tools along with expert staff from its technology partner to bolster its integrated pest management capabilities
The storm behind a berry harvesting solution
When a devastating storm hit Serbia in 2000, thousands of fruits fell prematurely from their branches. But what seemed like an agricultural disaster became the spark for one of the most innovative breakthroughs in berry harvesting technology
French apple campaign shows promise
Apple consumption can be given a boost with a focus on taste, according to Marc Peyres, commercial director of French exporter Blue Whale, who sees potential for “flavourful varieties for the future”, including Candine
Irritec acquires majority stake in Colombian irrigation pioneer
The acquisition of drip irrigation specialist Agrifim de Colombia will see Irritec modernise production facilities and establish a technology transfer center to support Colombian farmers