Over the past decade, hand harvesting costs for pome fruit have risen steadily, increasing by approximately 5% per year on a per-kilogram basis and by 7% per year on a per-hectare basis due to higher yields. According to the apple and pear industry's Orchard Business Analysis (OBA), current harvesting costs average around $10,600 per hectare, or $0.23 per kilogram.
Labour availability remains a concern, as growers face challenges in ensuring crops are picked on time. While improvements in labour efficiency can be achieved by using step ladders, power ladders, or harvesting platforms, future orchard models are looking toward automation. The PIPS 4 Profit project, Pear production systems for future climates (AP22002), is exploring the feasibility and profitability of robotic harvesting systems in so-called robot-ready orchards.
At the Tatura SmartFarm, Monash University's robotic harvesting arm—mounted on Agriculture Victoria's mobile harvesting platform—is currently being trialled on pears. These trials form part of a broader economic analysis comparing the cost-effectiveness of robotic picking with traditional hand harvesting methods.
A lifetime costing model is under development to evaluate the robotic system against hand picking using a harvesting platform. The model considers three main cost categories for farm machinery: annual ownership costs (fixed costs incurred regardless of use), operating costs (variable costs based on usage), and timeliness costs (expenses linked to delays in harvesting).
Key factors such as capital investment, annual usage rates, crop load, and robot design features—especially the picking rate—will be adjusted in the analysis to determine the break-even point for robotic harvesting systems. The cost model is also expected to highlight scenarios where multiple platforms or robotic arms may be needed to maintain harvest efficiency, especially when timeliness is critical.
While there is strong interest in adopting new technologies, cost and efficiency remain important considerations. This economic analysis aims to clarify the conditions under which robotic harvesting could become a financially viable option for orchardists.
For more information:
Kerry Stott
Apple and Pear Australia
Tel: +61 (0) 38341 2417
Email: [email protected]
www.apal.org.au