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.
Rabobank forecasts blueberry exports to top 1mn tonnes by 2028
Market update cautions that rising costs, crowded supply calendars and the need for stronger consumer engagement pose challenges
Inprobed project targets tomato resilience without yield sacrifice
European consortium aims to breed tomatoes that beat heat and drought without losing yield
Tomato business must come together to build resilience
Key players across the tomato supply chain met at Fruitnet Tomato Congress on 5-6 November to discuss the future of the category
UK fresh produce faces ‘bigger crisis’ due to cyberattacks
Businesses urged to bolster cybersecurity and be ‘super vigilant’ ahead of Christmas, amid warnings of potential Russian state-backed attacks
Grower reports tomato yield boost from magnetic water treatment
Elleholms Tomatodling’s six-month trial of the Abimax Magnostream Pro system produced an extra 3,834kg of tomatoes from the treated section
Campaign aims to Keep Packaging Recycling Working
UK recycling sector resists efforts to abolish current system of Packaging Recycling Notes
Webfleet strengthens Albion’s cold chain
Chef and catering wholesaler cuts vehicle claim costs per vehicle by 74 per cent, boosting cold chain visibility through fleet management system
Timcon figures show ongoing pallet repair trend
The UK Wood Pallets & Packaging Market Report shows repair and reuse volumes continuing their long-term upward trend
AgVantage to expand with Bauer irrigation equipment
New partnership combines Bauer’s irrigation expertise with AgVantage’s experience supporting potato and vegetable growers across the UK
Fotenix and Leap AI launch automated tomato grading system
New system Qualicrop combines multispectral imaging and robotic sorting to remove defective tomatoes at commercial packhouse speeds
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Fruit Logistica 2027: Know what matters next
Event brings global expertise from business, science, policy and practice to Berlin, with more than 130 sessions and over 200 experts across five stages
How can AI, robotics and automation transform the fresh produce sector?
FPJ editor Fred Searle sits down with staff writer Julia Bottoms to discuss the latest developments in AI, robotics and automation for the fresh produce sector
Saga Robotics’ Thorvald Platform named on Time’s Best Inventions list
Autonomous farming robot is recognised for its role in transforming agriculture by replacing chemical fungicide treatments with light
New agri-food robotics hub launched at University of Lincoln
HARVEST hub at university’s Riseholme Park Campus will provide access to testbeds for robotics in arable, fruit and vegetable farming, including £1mn Acceleration Fund
NFU and retailers call for budget to boost food security
National Farmers’ Union says UK tax reform needed to incentivise investment in critical infrastructure
Source.ag acquires UK AI startup Optimal
Dutch AI firm Source.ag has purchased Optimal, “closing the loop” on autonomous greenhouse control
Antobot unveils new UV-C robot model
UK agri-tech company debuts new UV-C model for powdery mildew in strawberries at Fruit Attraction, as the company targets 300-unit global deployment by 2027
Tesco’s Agri-tech Challenge spurs calls for investment
Farmers increasingly call for agri-tech innovation funding and subsidised trials, as Tesco announce Swiss company AgroSustain as a winner of its Agri-tech challenge
Aldi’s Bardon DC begins fresh produce operations at scale
UK’s biggest automated warehouse begins first fruit and veg deliveries, as retailer pushes ahead with £1.6bn investment
S&A Produce benefits from investment in water resilience
Berry supplier S&A Produce sees investments in water recycling and storage as crucial for surviving the UK’s drier summers