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.
AgriRobot secures funding to boost field-robot project
The Danish agritech company raises total of €2.5 million to accelerate development of operator-free field-robots
Fruitnet Tomato Congress heads to Malaga, Spain, in 2025
The tomato category’s leading event, Fruitnet Tomato Congress, is back on 11-12 November 2025 at a new location in Malaga, close to one of Spain’s primary tomato production areas
Positive feedback for Sinclair’s compostable label
Labelling company Sinclair says its new T55 certified compostable label has generated global interest, and calls on stakeholders to get behind an education and awareness campaign
New PGRO app boosts growers’ diagnostic arsenal
Pea and bean growers will benefit from a range of dedicated features
CPB uses tech to boost prune engagement
California Prune Board takes prune orchards to global audiences via virtual reality project
Angus Soft Fruits marks 30 years at annual conference
Scotland’s leading berry supplier hosted its yearly conference this month, celebrating 30 years of business and assessing the best path forward for its growers and partners
Satellite images can help farmers combat weather threat, study says
PhD project at University of Leicester aims to get more farmers in UK and Kenya using satellite imagery to protect food security
Fieldwork Robotics partners with Burro to take raspberry robot to next level
Fieldwork says the interoperability of its technology is a big advantage to growers
Vertical Future launches new crop data services
The new range of Crop-Science-as-a-Service services spans tailored growing trials, product testing and the use of crop algorithms
UKFPN brings together industry leaders for its first Festival of Agriculture
Taking place in Lincolnshire on 17 October, the event highlighted the latest in UK agricultural advancements
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NGO calls for migrant workers to be documented in Dominican Republic banana sector
Banana Link says country’s banana sector employs around 70,000 Haitian migrants, who currently face the threat of deportation under a government decree
Why NLW and NI changes are the biggest current threat to growers
Martin Emmett, chair of the NFU Horticulture & Potatoes Board, explains why despite the shock over IHT rules, the most immediate challenge comes from wage and National Insurance hikes
Supermarket tills ring out in countdown to Christmas
December retail sales are forecast to exceed £13 billion for the first time ever as shoppers count down to Christmas
DP World helps UK importers cut emissions
The logistics giant launches world’s first container port ’carbon inset programme’ at UK hubs
Blueberries and avocados lead Peru’s agricultural exports
Shipment of both products showed marked recovery in first ten months of 2024
Silicon Valley expert takes non-exec role at Fieldwork Robotics
Micki Seibel is highly experienced with agri-tech startups
CambridgeHOK Refrigeration celebrates £1mn turnover after first year of trading
Frozen produce tech firm hits milestone one year after launching its service and maintenance division
M&S launches its first autonomous field trial to grow lower-carbon parsnips
The trial is using some of the latest farming technology and forms part of M&S’ ambitions to reach net-zero by 2040
Fischer Farms appoints former Moy Park boss Chris Kirke as CEO
Kirke has over 26 years’ experience in FMCG in the US and UK and will look to drive commercial expansion
JHI receives £2.4m to fund research into lettuce breeding and vertical farming
Over £560,000 will go towards accelerating breeding for indoor lettuce, while more than £300,000 will fund new light pulsing tech in vertical farming