Technology news from Produce Plus
Technology news stories with a direct relevance to the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand, 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.
Catalytic Generators ready to launch SmartRipe
New wireless technology gives fruit ripeners real-time visibility of generator status, Ethy-Gen II levels and ethylene production
N&E Innovations secures funding for food waste tech
Singapore startup raises US$1.7mn in Series A funding, which will support the launch of post-harvest shelf-life extension innovation
Hectre opens multi-million dollar Auckland laboratory
Lab will be used to develop Hectre’s next-generation Arc camera, designed to identify internal fruit quality
Silal Group signs blueberry deal to expand UAE production
Silal has entered into a partnership with IQ Berries’ Middle East agent Ayla Berries to introduce premium varieties suited to UAE conditions
Wickham Freight Lines debuts solar-charged refrigerated trailer unit
Queensland-based transport giant becomes inaugural customer of Protran Solutions’ battery- and solar-powered refrigeration technology
Fruit Logistica 2027: Know what matters next
Event brings global expertise from business, science, policy and practice to Berlin, with more than 130 sessions and over 200 experts across five stages
Tabula and Croplands integrate to connect vineyard and orchard sprayers
Integration connects spraying in the field with job management, live operational visibility and digital application records
Zespri funds research into natural defence against kiwifruit disease
As chemicals lose effectiveness against PsaV, which threatens kiwifruit around the world, scientists aim to find a more natural solution
Asia Fruit Logistica 2026 wraps up record show
Asia’s premier trade show registers its most international participation ever, attracting some 16,000 attendees from 95 countries and regions
Produce Plus Spring out now
Exclusive interview with MOYA 2026 winner Flavorite Group and a full wrap-up of Hort Connections
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Barden Farms stays ahead of the harvest clock with John Deere
Major vegetable producer is extracting maximum value out of its equipment
Polybee and Vegetables by Bayer ink new partnership
Australian growers will get access to new AI-powered farm intelligence
Coles Nurture Fund grants awarded to Australian fresh produce growers
Recipients include Mount Sylvia Fresh, Pirrone Brothers, Cummaudo Farms and EcoHarvest
Compact fruit and vegetable dicer Little Gem Aspire set Australian launch
Heat and Control will showcase the compact new dicer at Foodpro 2026
Catalytic Generators delivers ripening reliability
Ripening solutions provider helps customers meet stringent requirements with consistent supply and results
Early warning system uses AI to help growers predict climate risk
WayBeyond says its new forecasting tool offers predictive intelligence for crops in tunnels and greenhouses
NZ kiwifruit industry secures funding for productivity push
NZKGI and Zespri will deliver ‘Optimising Kiwifruit Land Use – More from Less’, co-funded through the government’s Primary Sector Growth Fund
2026 Horticulture Awards for Excellence recognise the industry’s finest
A dozen awards presented at the culmination of Hort Connections, recognising achievement right across the fresh produce industry
Tomra Food launches 5S Blueberry sorting and grading platform in Australasia
The 5S Blueberry is designed to deliver new levels of precision, fruit protection and packhouse efficiency
Australian avocado industry launches global-first VR supply chain training programme
New initiative sees avocado industry partner with Woolworths to focus on quality across the avocado supply chain