The Hectre Global AgTech Tour 2025 has come to a close, leaving behind a legacy of cutting-edge concepts, stronger partnerships, and a shared vision for the future of technology in the fruit production industry. The tour, which took place from 1 to 7 June in the Washington State cities of Yakima and Seattle, brought together decision-makers from the apple, pear, cherry, stone fruit, and citrus sectors in Europe and South America. Participants included representatives from VOG, Elbe Obst, Joinfruit, Frusan, Verfrut, Gülbudak, San Clemente, NUFRI, FL Rabbiosi, Jabłka Grójeckie, and Samboa.
Hectre, a New Zealand company that specializes in artificial intelligence for the management of fruit stock, has partnered with some of the most advanced packing houses and orchards in the U.S. to offer its customers exclusive access. These partners include Borton Fruit, Monson Fruit, Apple King, CPC International, Kershaw, Yakima Fruit, and Olympic Fruit.
These tours showcased real-world applications of Hectre's yield management and fruit quality software for orchards, including the Top Down and Perform modules. They also demonstrated how AI-based fruit quality analysis generates significant returns on investment (ROI) for growers and packers.
Hectre's artificial intelligence technology achieves 95% accuracy in sorting by size and color, all in a matter of seconds. While this level of performance is comparable to that of some of the industry's most advanced sorting machines, Hectre's technology is unmatched in terms of portability and speed.
Several tour stops featured strategic workshops with CPC International that focused on data-driven production optimization, workforce efficiency, and lowering reliance on manual tasks.
At the same time as the tours, another event brought together 50 local and international customers and industry operators with similar interests. Hectre showcased its NFC wristband technology at the event, which was a joint effort with Teiton Cider Room.
Throughout the tour, Hectre emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing and human relations. The experience offered a unique balance of insight and cultural exchange, featuring executive dinners with local cuisine, brainstorming sessions, and even a Major League Baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Baltimore Orioles, which ended with a 2-1 loss for the Mariners.
"The feedback has been extremely positive," says Matty Blomfield, Hectre's CEO. "We are already discussing plans for a future edition and the possibility of expanding to other continents. Our goal is to establish a global community focused on AgTech and fresh produce, not just selling software."
As the company continues its mission to connect people, data, and precision tools across the fruit and vegetable industry, it is planning future international editions of the Hectre Global AgTech Tour.
For more information:
Marcin Pędzisz
Hectre
+39 392 036 9552
[email protected]
www.hectre.com