Researchers design a robot to optimize the blueberry harvest

A team of researchers from the Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego (UPAO) managed to field test a mobile robot to optimize the harvesting of blueberries, which has the ability…

Seven onion packers embrace TrueAI to transform the market

Together with customers, Ellips is looking for opportunities to improve their grading technology. This ongoing collaboration and our drive for innovation has helped to revolutionize the onion market by improving operational performance and enabling our customers to deliver the quality and consistency…

New automatic packing robot for peaches and nectarines

The MAF RODA Group has been innovating and developing robotics systems for years to automate the tasks of fruit and vegetable processing plants. “Robotics is one of the group's six major lines of innovation, which also include electronics, automation, electricity, mechanical engineering, and…

Online auction on behalf of SolaBonum GmbH

Various vegetable and potato processing machines are offered for sale at the online auction from Industrial Auctions in Suhlendorf (DE). The offer consists of washing machines, slicers, sorting and batching machines, smoking, and cooking chambers, linear weighing machines, metal detectors, and many more.…

Unifrutti partners with Tevel to revolutionize harvesting in Chile thanks to AI

The future of the fruit industry is already happening in Chile, where apples are being picked by flying robots driven by Artificial Intelligence Tevel’s Flying Autonomous Robots harvesting apples in Unifrutti’s orchards in Linares, Chile. In a first-ever collaboration, the face of the fruit industry in Chile is being…

"Clients from all over the world kept asking for a solution to process pineapples"

The interest in fresh and processed pineapple is constantly increasing. PND, a company specializing in machinery for fruit processing and in the development of advanced systems for fresh-cut and processed product businesses, provides answers for this segment. Export manager Virginia Cascella, explained…

"We have seen an increase in demand for our systems due to a combination between a labour shortage, higher wages"

CPS has been manufacturing case-packing equipment since 1988. The company produces systems for many industries, including the fresh produce industry, for packaging bags and all types of trays, crates, folding cases, shelf-ready display cases up to containers. CPS have been present at Hort Connection for the…

Field scales for grapes: necessary to improve the working conditions of employees

The start of table grape harvesting operations is getting closer, so companies are getting organized to face the campaign and improve the working conditions of employees.  "After the great success of last year, orders are already coming in. All agricultural entrepreneurs in fact want their collaborators to…

"In the fresh produce sector, we were the first in Europe to set up an Autostore Fresh facility"

The central warehouse of online delivery service Knuspr in Garching covers 10,000 m², together with the Autostore Fresh facility. Up to 7,000 boxes can be filled and delivered to customers daily via the Autostore facility. "For fresh produce, we work with two temperature zones, with one zone at 4 to 6…

"The East African market and the African continent is fundamental for us"

Amenduni Nicola Spa will attend the Second International Africa Avocado Congress, scheduled from 31 May to 3 June 2023 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Amenduni is a company that designs machinery for the extraction of comestible oil, and is a partner of the Valbruna Group, one of the world's…

"We produce machines which are versatile and 'custom-made' for our clients all over the world"

Bassi Seminatrici, a specialist in precision linear sowing, boasts seven decades of experience and confirms itself as an export-oriented company.  "The company was founded in the 1950s by my father Gino and specializes in the manufacture of sowing machines. In the 1980s, we strengthened our line of precision linear…

“This sorting line largely increased our sorting accuracy”

In April, Reemoon completed its largest Australian installation yet, delivering a new six-lane sizer to Mario's Packhouse in Griffith, New South Wales (Australia). The company's Vice-Director, Dennis Clock, reviews this project. Mario's Packhouse is one of the region's leading citrus packing operations. The…

Carrot optical sorting advancements increases throughput

Updates to the high-performance Visar Sortop Carrot optical sorter are bringing increased throughput, accuracy and quality to carrot sorting operations worldwide. As UK distributor of the Swiss-manufactured optical carrot and potato sorting machine, UK vegetable handling equipment manufacturer Tong…

Operating with sustainable intralogistics in mind

Automation can help get more out of less, making it intrinsically sustainable. Automation and strategically planned intralogistics can enable businesses in diverse industries to become more eco-friendly. Global intralogistics specialist, Cimcorp has customers in two core sectors – grocery retail and the…

"Research and development are our pièce de résistance"

Ever since 1987, GNA's priority has been the creation of processing and packaging systems guaranteeing high technology, quality, hygiene, and safety levels. The company, located in the heart of the packaging valley in Emilia, near Bologna, and specializing in the design, manufacturing, and sale of packaging…

Modern packing solutions making tomato packhouses more competitive

Tomatoes are one of life’s blessings. For growers, tomatoes give a high yield and are in strong demand. Consumers appreciate that tomatoes are packed with healthy antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins. For processed food manufacturers, tomatoes add color, flavor, and natural goodness to juices, pastes,…

Dealing with lack of personnel one robot at a time

A robot that interacts, delivers products and smiles? That is what FreshPlaza witnessed at TuttoFood 2023. Its name is Bellabot and it was developed by iServe. "Our robots are designed to perform various functions in different retail scenarios, improving efficiency and reducing costs for companies. Our…

Automation is a lever for transformation and growth in the blueberry industry

Blueberry consumption continues to grow, especially in the USA and Europe. If we add to this increase in demand the consequent increase in production, professionalization and…

Advancing the future of potato processing

REYCO Systems®, a manufacturer of oil removal systems to the growing processed potato and French fry industry, has announced the launch of their newest product, the EcoMiser®…

Bid online for vegetable machinery from Invicta Produce Ltd

Are you looking for equipment for your vegetable production plant? Industrial Auctions offers many for sale on their online auction in Ramsgate (UK). This auction is organized on behalf of Invicta Produce Ltd. The offer consists, for example, of a Kronen vegetable washer, Ulma flowpacker, Kronen belt…

Arkansas and Georgia researchers developed a robotic hand to pick blackberries

Researchers in Arkansas and Georgia have shown that delicate fresh-market blackberries typically picked by human hands to maintain quality, can now be picked by robots as…

Self-developed Sepia case packer highlighted at Open Huys Days

Het Packhuys will hold its Open Huys days soon. From May 31 to June 9, this Dutch machine supplier will open its doors so known and potential business partners can experience its full product range. "It's a great way to extensively show our machines in action with products to interested parties and…

Denmark: Autonomous mobile robot designed for indoor farming

“Vertical farming is moving towards an inflection point. From expensive and niche technology towards market leadership from both a commercial and sustainability standpoint. Our vision at Seasony is to make that inflection point come sooner – making vertical farms more scalable, profitable, and…

New technology for the detection of pits in fresh and frozen cherries

TOMRA has launched in Chile the TOMRA 5X, a very efficient machine equipped with an X-ray sensor that allows the detection of a cherry's pit. It is a technological advance, developed by TOMRA Food that solves the problem of frozen fruit processors. The IQF fruit market is going through a delicate moment.…

New technology quickly detects nutrients in crops

New technology is able to analyze the nutritive compounds of crops in moments. It works through a mass spectrometry in tandem of ionization by electrospray (Pesi/MS/MS), which…

How scientists developed a robotic hand to pick blackberries in Arkansas

Imagine an autonomous bi-pedal robot with 10 arms, each tipped with three-fingered silicone grippers picking its way through rows of blackberries, and you’ll have an idea of what the future could hold for blackberry farms facing a labor shortage. Researchers in Arkansas and Georgia have shown that…

Inauguration of a new plant in Italy for the production of sorting machines

"Ours is a company born from the long experience of two families, Longo and Raimondo, who have been in the fruit and vegetable processing machine manufacturing industry since the early 1970s," said Domenico Longo of Tenco Group Lab, a manufacturing company that deals with the supply of professional…

New seed corn procession options hit the market

ProEx Food® announces a new seed-specific model of its Intellipro™ Husker along with additional tools for seed corn processors. “We have received several inquiries from seed processors asking about making seed-specific versions of our Intellipro Husker. These processors are looking for an…

Potato, fruit, and vegetable processing machines for sale

Several interesting fruit and vegetable processing machines are offered for auction! Think, for example, of infeed bunkers, tippers, washing machines, peelers, slicers, and weighing machines for potatoes, fruit, and vegetables. Some of these are offered in a combination, for example, a complete potato…

Top removal during harvest improves onion quality

Topping onions during the loading process isn’t new, but in Europe and other key growing areas it is not common practice. Here the crop is topped before it is swath lifted. Certainly when the onion haulm is still green and standing straight it is an potential source of infection for fungi and bacteria.…

Mettler-Toledo launches x-ray solutions to enhance product safety

Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection has launched the X2 Series of high-performing x-ray systems to help enhance product safety at a good price point for all food manufacturers. With two x-ray systems currently in the X2 Series, x-ray inspection is now accessible for all budgets, offering manufacturers…

UK students work with industry experts to commission latest robot

A group of students from Harper Adams University’s Engineering Department have been working closely with the Small Robot Company in a project that looks at the building and…

LfULG/ Hofer

Robot for fruit growing in test operation

The ELWOBOT, an autonomously driving fruit and wine-growing robot with a modular energy supply and electric drive, is now entering the test phase after less than three years of planning and construction. This was announced today in Dresden by the Saxon State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and…

Unitec presented integrated technology for blueberry supply chain at Macfrut 2023

The 2023 edition of Macfrut saw Unitec involved as a technical partner of the International Blueberry Days event. By supporting this event the group wants to emphasize the importance of technological innovation in fostering the growth of the blueberry market worldwide, as demonstrated by the results…

World first in Antwerp port area: drone network officially launched

Six autonomous drones will perform daily flights in the Antwerp port area, a world first that will make an important contribution to the overall security of the complex port environment. Recently launched, the 'D-Hive drone-in-a-box' network is the result of a partnership between the Port of…

Imaging detection technology tested during extended potato season

Ground-sensing technology TuberScan - developed by agri-tech business B-hive Innovations and partners - is entering its final phase of testing both overseas and now in the UK following the start of this year’s weather-delayed potato growing season. In its current iteration, the TuberScan system comprises…

Ecuadorian banana producers can now use drones weighing more than 150 kilos to fumigate their crops

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DAC), via Resolution No. DGAC-DGAC-2023-0037-R, reformed the norm that regulates the operation of remotely piloted aircraft. As a…

New grader spots internal decay for Canadian onion producer

Like many farmers, Nova Agri CEO Earl Kidston was struggling with a big problem: internal decay in his onions. After a long process, he found the key that would finally solve the issue: a new electronic grader with improved, advanced technology delivered by Eqraft. Located in the Annapolis Valley of Nova…

New machine to slice and dice bell pepper in many ways

The bell pepper is a fruiting vegetable that can be prepared in many different ways. There are no limits to the imagination. But it is precisely this wide variety of possibilities and processing options that makes the development of a machine specially designed for this vegetable so complex, particularly…

Fresh-cut segment: launch of a new mango peeler

The innovation for 2023 is the new mango peeler mod. PL4M, which can process 24-28 fruits/minute. It is an improvement of the 6-head version (36-42 fruits/min) developed over 10 years ago. Plus, in addition to the PL4M and very popular PL6M models, there is also a larger model, i.e. the 8-head PL8M…

Rivoira reconfirms its trust in Aweta to satisfy overseas markets with apples

“Today the sector is in a critical situation because these two years of crisis, first the pandemic then the war within European borders, have meant that costs are quite high, that the sector has lost competitiveness. The only way that our company sees to be able to make up for these high costs is to…

Dutch company places potato receiving line at Australian potato processor

In Australia, a potato processing company wanted to replace its potato receiving line and turned to the Dutch company Tolsma-Grisnich. They report that the line they placed buffs, cleans, and samples the potatoes brought in by trucks at high capacity. "The system has two receiving bunkers, each with a 50-ton/hour…

"Making salad with smart robots"

Having a bunch of grapes picked and packed by a robot already requires a lot of technology. But it can be even more complicated: automatically preparing a ready-made salad. Researchers from the Wageningen University & Research Agro Food Robotics programme will take up this challenge over the next five years, WUR writes. "The…

Grading greenhouse vegetables requires special attention

Over the past few years, Futura srl has been receiving increasing requests for lines destined for the processing, grading and packaging of produce grown in traditional or hydroponic greenhouses, especially tomatoes, bell peppers and even cucumbers and aubergines. "We have already sold various units,…

Latest introductions when it comes to solar driers

There is increasing curiosity about the drying of produce with small/medium systems that use solar power. This year, G-teK will attend Macfrut (A1 - 168) to present the latest innovations when it comes to natural-effect solar driers.  "The flexibility and modularity of our driers help obtain high-quality sustainable…

MHM automation acquires Wyma for estimated $60 mln

MHM Automation acquired 100% of the shares of prominent post-harvest vegetable and fruit handling equipment manufacturer Wyma Engineering (NZ) Limited yesterday. The…

'Growers spend $500,000 per year on automation'

The second annual Western Growers Specialty Crop Automation Report reveals a 25 percent increase in average year-over-year agtech investment as the labor shortage persists…

"I was very pleased with my new Pellerano mulcher"

After he was handed it just a few days ago, Vincenzo Bilotta, an agri-business owner from Lamezia Terme (Calabria, Italy), could not resist the temptation to immediately try out his new Versilia mulcher with Automatic Inter-row Kit, trademarked by Pellerano. "With this tool, managing weeds in my…

Online auction of potato packaging and French fry production line

Troostwijk Auctions is auctioning a complete potato packaging and French fries production line. Components like a receiving hopper, conveyor belts, sorting and triage machine, and automatic peeler, both 2022 Dema construct, potato scraping/peeling machine, French fries cutting machine, 2022 KMK automatic…

GreenLifeTech launches FreshDefendHome

FreshDefendHome™ is a smart countertop system with patent-pending technology that extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by up to 5 times. The system works by…

Maximizing energy efficiency in IQF freezers

One of the difficulties that food processors encounter is choosing an Individual Quick Freezing or IQF freezer that is both effective and economical, says Sana Rehman, Marketing Manager at OctoFrost a Swedish manufacturer of IQF equipment: “This challenge has become even harder due to the recent increase…

US: Electric autonomous drone receives FAA-first approval

After receiving approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) this week, Guardian Agriculture has become the first commercially authorized eVTOL to operate across…

The importance of postharvest ripening and testing of fresh produce

Postharvest handling of some fruits involves additional steps that are critical to their success at retail. Ripening with ethylene ensures that several of these commodities are at ideal ripeness and will properly reach a dependable, ready-to-eat stage at the right time. Ethylene is a natural plant…

SortMate: The evolution of sorting fresh goods

SortMate by System Logistics is a new and innovative automated solution for managing and distributing fruit and vegetable crates. SortMate autonomously manages the entire inbound and outbound sorting process for fruit and vegetables, from the arrival of goods to distribution to different destinations. It…

Astra holds opening ceremony for its new building

On 22 March, the Japanese peeler innovator Astra held an opening ceremony for its new office building. More than 100 guests were invited. According to the sales manager, Ryo Takeshita, this is the first ceremonial party Astra has held in 30 years, ‘Seeing so many guests make us realize how we were…

Performance Projects

Performance Projects' GoFAR vehicle trialed at Norfolk fruit grower

A small but strong, remote-controlled vehicle was tested for its potential to fetch and carry berries picked at Place UK in Tunstead, near North Walsham. It was designed by Silverstone-based engineering firm Performance Projects, which specializes in hi-tech custom vehicles and works with Formula One and…

“We take mechanical harvesting for fresh food very seriously”

On the occasion of Blueberries Consulting Seminar at Monticello, Carolina Uquillas developed a very complete presentation of the new varieties of Fall creek for the blueberry…

A new machine for cutting cherry tomatoes in halves and quarters

As the warm season approaches, so does its main vegetable, namely the cherry tomato. It proves, therefore, that there is a need to cope with the different demands and needs of the fresh-cut, processed, frozen, and dehydrated tomato companies.  Thanks to their know-how of the specifications of each crop, PND has…

Strawberry grower tackles whitefly preventively with special suction machine

In the greenhouses of strawberry grower Jong Fruit, a special suction machine helps control whitefly. "This is the first serious prototype. Now you can really see results," shares grower Rob van der Wouw in a video showing how the machine works. Right now, the strawberry grower from North Brabant,…

"Due to the increased demand for European goods, we have invested in peeling technology"

China is by far the world's largest producer of garlic. Thus, Düpmann Ltd & Co. purchases large volumes from this country, as well as from Spain and Italy. "The largest producer in the world has its cultivation areas mainly in the Shandong region. The harvest starts at the end of May; 10 to 15 percent…

AgroFresh partners with sensor tech developer

As part of its commitment to bring forward technological solutions that reduce food loss and promote sustainable agriculture, AgroFresh Solutions, Inc., a post-harvest…

“I look forward to meeting onion growers/packers of all shapes and sizes in North America”

“No one likes onion skins, leaves, and dust. A clean working environment makes happy workers and good performance of high-tech equipment. And what’s more: retailers and consumers pay a premium for clean onions", according to Sjoerd van Diepen, Technical Sales Advisor at Modesta. He will be working and…

Vietnam: XAG drones might address labor shortages in banana and durian farming

More and more Vietnamese farmers are applying the XAG P100 Agricultural Drone to the cultivation of high-value crops, such as banana and durian. With the advantage of fully…

New robot uses vacuum system to harvest tomatoes

The future of food production will require greater efficiencies, sustainable practices, and maximizing yields at every step. To optimize the future production of tomatoes, Syngenta Vegetable Seeds recently worked with Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Four Growers, Inc. to test the GR-100 robotic harvester in tomato…

"Quicker, better grading process, using fewer people"

Last year, Fruitbedrijf en Pakstation Tijssen began using a brand-new production warehouse. The Dutch fruit company grows and sorts apples and pears. "We moved to the new production site, which includes a newly-built packing plant. An additional cold store is being constructed, too," begins owner Menso…

Nordvac GmbH / Küsten Bete GmbH

"Efficient packaging capacity with up to 13 cycles allows high demand to be met economically"

Küsten Bete Ltd in Elpersbüttel has been preparing beets for domestic food retailers for several months. At a site in the heart of the Dithmarschen vegetable-growing region, the regional vegetables are washed, sorted, peeled, weighed and labeled with MHD labels. The beet is then cooked in the packaging…

"We’re addressing market challenges with our next-generation food processing technologies"

Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, is exhibiting their VERYX® optical sorter and Zephyr™ horizontal-motion conveyor, as well as showcasing their other world-class equipment, in Hall 6 / B73 at Interpack in Düsseldorf, Germany, May 4-10, 2023. “Food processors…

New machine washes fragile sweet potatoes clean using less water

It is not easy to wash something as fragile as a sweet potato. "Its skin is like not-quite-dry paint," says Joris Koenraadt of Maatschap Koenraadt. "It's hard to find a washing line that cleans well and is product-friendly." MCR Machinery's new washing line, however, has those two features. "We first had…

EastPack’s Quarry Rd grader costs and lead time double

The 2023 kiwifruit season marked the first use of a new $28 million grader at EastPack’s Quarry Rd packhouse. The new grader is part of the ongoing investment in post-harvest…

Searching for margin in blueberry packing

As costs are very high and supply is abundant during the peak of the season, blueberry growers will be looking to reduce their costs as much as possible. According to Piotr Milewski, CEO of Milbor, a supplier of automated production lines, including sorting and packing systems, an efficient, automated…

Patatas Hijolusa implements state-of-the-art robotic technology to optimize its production line

The Patatas Hijolusa company has been implementing state-of-the-art technology in its industrial plant in Leon for more than 7 years to achieve the maximum optimization of its production process. Each year the company invests an average of 2 million euro in continuing to modernize its 23,600-square-meter…

Wootzano

Robotics firm Wootzano joins project to combat labor shortages in crop harvesting

Robotics firm Wootzano is part of a project that aims to tackle the lack of labor in the UK horticulture industry using technology. As part of 'Agri-OpenCore,' the County Durham-based company is contributing its know-how to part of the £9.13 mln program that aims to develop an open development platform -…

Cutting robot increases yields

"We’re well-positioned regarding what the market needs: robotizing the cutting process," begins Jeroen Pannekoek, PIP Innovations' Managing Director. This Dutch company focuses on robotized processing solutions for the fruit and vegetable sector. A major U.S. potato chip manufacturer, for example, uses PIP Innovations'…

Future Crops declared bankrupt: all equipment in online auction at Troostwijk Auctions

Poeldijk-based vertical farm Future Crops has been declared bankrupt. For this reason, all equipment belonging to the baby lettuce and herb producer will be auctioned through Troostwijk Auctions' platform. The lots can be bid on from Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 16:00. The auction closes on Wednesday,…

Study focuses on drones to target desert locusts with biopesticide

A study led by the first winner of the inaugural Carol Ellison Science Award 2021 has determined the optimum height for a drone to fly and target desert locusts with…

Asparagus bundling machine: a simple, compact, modular and product-friendly innovation

Frédéric Jautrou is one of the 15 asparagus growers who came together to create the registered trademark “Asperges du Pays de Richelieu”, an initiative that has helped promote the spring vegetable in the region. “The brand has existed since 1998. The objective of this project is to have a common…

"The important thing for restaurateurs is to ensure that no net weight is lost"

Similar to many colleagues, specialized catering supplier Ercan Duruöz of Elele GmbH had to absorb tough sales losses during the pandemic. However, the Essen-based fruit wholesaler made a virtue out of necessity and, together with his nephew, set up a stand sales business called Elele Express, which has…