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.
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
Bayer expands pheromone gel distribution with M2i Group
Building on their successful European and African collaboration, Bayer has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with French pheromones specialist M2i Group to expand their biological crop protection solutions globally
Only three weeks left to register as an exhibitor for Fruit Logistica 2026
Returning to Berlin on 4-6 February 2026, the leading trade show for the global fresh produce business offers new formats, high-level networking, and unmissable global reach
Hortifrut launches Peru blueberry season with China shipment
Chilean berry giant’s first container of the 2025/26 season is expected to arrive in Shanghai on 30 July, with transit time reduced from 32 to 25 days
Portugal approves emergency use of Vestaron’s tomato leafminer bioinsecticide
Portuguese tomato growers gain access to a new biological solution for controlling the destructive tomato leafminer pest, as authorities grant 120-day emergency use authorisation for Vestaron’s Spear LEP bioinsecticide
Saga Robotics agrees collaboration with Bitwise and Chambers
The tie-up will offer enhanced services through the company’s Thorvald robot
Switzerland forecasts good berry harvest despite area decline
The Swiss Fruit Association has announced positive forecasts for the country’s berry harvest, with increases expected for raspberries, blueberries and currants, despite a recent reduction in total planted area
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Fruitnet Tomato Congress presents: The Future of Tomatoes
This year’s Fruitnet Tomato Congress takes place in Malaga, Spain, on 11-12 November, with industry experts set to explore how the business is likely to evolve in the coming years
UK used pallet market faces price uplift
The National Association of Pallet Distributors (NAPD) has issued a warning that rising raw material costs are placing significant pressure on the UK’s used pallet market, with timber prices continuing to climb
Kwik Lok joins IFPA’s Supply Chain of the Future initiative
Bag closing solution specialist Kwik Lok has become an executive sponsor of IFPA’s Harmonized Standards & Smart Data Escrow Steering Committee, signalling a commitment to modernising packaging’s role in supply chain transparency
Interpera conference tackles key challenges facing pear industry
Experts met in Hasselt, Belgium to address critical challenges facing the sector, including declining consumption and production difficulties
DP World wins triple crown at 2025 Multimodal Awards
Global trade enabler DP World has achieved a triple win at the 2025 Multimodal Awards in Birmingham, securing the Port Company of the Year title for the third consecutive year alongside two additional prestigious industry recognitions
Maersk launches Trade & Tariff Studio
AP Moller-Maersk has unveiled a new digital solution designed to help global cargo owners navigate increasingly complex customs and tariff challenges in an unpredictable trade environment
Seatrade orders high-reefer container ships from China
Seatrade has confirmed an order for two new 2,800 TEU high-reefer container ships from China’s Huanghai Shipyard, with options for six more vessels as part of its fleet expansion strategy
Biobest trials show bumblebees improve avocado yields
Recent field trials in Spain and Turkey have demonstrated that bumblebee pollination can solve complex pollination challenges in avocado production, increasing yields by 30-50 per cent without reducing fruit size
Clarifresh joins IFPA’s Shelf-Life Steering Committee
Quality management solutions specialist backs predictive freshness and smarter supply chains
KWS strengthens vegetable R&D
Seed specialist KWS has significantly expanded its Dutch operations with a new 10,000m2 research facility in Andijk, strengthening its position in the competitive vegetable breeding sector