Technology news from Fresh Produce Journal
Technology news stories with a direct relevance to the UK 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.
Study looks at factors driving Colorado potato beetle outbreaks
A comprehensive Michigan State University has revealed new insights into the environmental factors driving Colorado potato beetle populations
Keep calm and berry on: Top takeaways from Fruitnet Berry Congress
Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell are joined by FPJ editor Fred Searle for a berry-themed edition of The Fresh Ideas Show podcast
Finding the right technology in the berry business
Expert speakers at Fruitnet Berry Congress, which took place in London on 19 March, highlighted the potential of various technological solutions to address issues surrounding labour, energy, quality and waste in the berry category
Tevel secures funding for flying robot harvesters
Israel-based agritech company raises US$18m in Series C funding as it works to address labour shortages in fruit supply chains
AgroFresh raises prices as conflict drives up costs
Shelf-life extension specialist implements ‘global price adjustment’ to cope with increasing input inflation
Syngenta invests £100m in UK crop protection research hub
The new biotech and research centre will bring together 300 scientists working with cutting-edge AI technology to fast-track new crop protection products
Berry business faces up to new challenges as growth continues
Investment in varieties, segmentation, marketing and technology will help build more profitable berry business, delegates heard at Fruitnet Berry Congress
Eternal.ag launches autonomous tomato harvesting robot Harvester
The AI-powered system addresses labour shortages that have seen European greenhouse workforce decline 30 per cent since 2010
Tropic secures US$105mn to scale gene-edited banana production
Company plans to scale production of climate-resilient and non-browning varieties, with commercial launches due in 2027
Dole UK trial achieves 28 per cent yield boost using advanced covers
Trial shows thermal reduction covers and continuous bee activity monitoring deliver yield, quality and environmental improvements
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Fruitnet Berry Congress still the best place to track innovation in berries
Conference and networking event brings business leaders together to discuss better products, stronger supply chains, and new market trends
Suply expands shipment intelligence platform amid Gulf disruption
Company is expanding deployment of its shipment intelligence platform with fresh produce exporters as key maritime routes are disrupted
Space tech boost for farming as government backs projects
Over £500k allocated to a range of initiatives with farm applications
Fischer Farms partners with cress and micro leaf grower Dawndew Salad
Companies say partnership aims to ‘set new benchmark’ in year-round supply of premium British salad
Inside Jepco’s sustainable shift to indoor leafy salad production
Salad producer is blending decades of growing expertise with cutting-edge indoor systems to drive resilient, high-quality production all year round
Michelle Collis named CFO at Fieldwork Robotics
Company is looking to move from start-up to scale-up phase
Worldwide Fruit launches Resilience Hub for suppliers and retailers
New digital platform combines The WFL Supplier Scorecard and The Knowledge Hub
NFU welcomes SFI changes
Sustainable Farming Incentive actions cut and capped but Defra pledges new funding to improve farm productivity at NFU Conference in Birmingham
£700k Innovate UK grant boosts glasshouse LEDs
Cash will enable Bloemteknik to develop its autonomous lighting platform
Global fresh produce trade weathers the storm to spark unbeatable Fruit Logistica
Fruit Logistica 2026 once again demonstrated its status as the world’s premier business, innovation and knowledge platform for the industry