Cherry packers seek superior product consistency, maximum capacity, and efficiency. Rivermaid Trading Company continuously innovates to meet these demands, recently investing in a 24-lane Elifab cherry grading machine with advanced Ellips True-AI technology. This technology boosts efficiency, capacity, and quality, allowing Rivermaid to expand production while keeping quality high.
Rivermaid faces challenges with California cherries, which have complex color patterns and maturity levels, strict quality standards, and diverse customer demands. The Elifab grader processes over 20 tons per hour without manual sorting, enhancing flexibility and consistency through powerful AI defect detection for issues like black rot and stem cracks.
According to CEO Patrick Archibeque, the Ellips technology has been pivotal in building Rivermaid’s brand, enabling them to meet their quality promise consistently. Production Supervisor Hayden Gibson highlights the labor-saving AI’s ability to grade cherries more accurately and faster. With advanced defect detection, Ellips True-AI technology optimizes grading by identifying even the most challenging imperfections.
Read full article: Freshplaza
21 Apr 2026
Stemilt has signed an agreement with Brandt’s Fruit Trees and LFP to grow KIR cherries, late and ultra-late varieties bred in Germany, aiming to extend the commercial season through September and enhance the quality of premium cherry supply in the United States market.
04 Feb 2025
Meda™ varieties have been evaluated in Europe for three seasons now. All have been selected with a minimum of 35-40 days post-harvest. Meda™'s is the only breeding programme that has used postharvest as a selection filter.
19 Jun 2026
PGPR applied to Gisela 6 rootstock improve rhizosphere fertility, nutrition and root development in sweet cherry. Co-inoculation with Pantoea ananatis D1-28 and Bacillus aryabhattai LAD emerges as a sustainable strategy for efficient roots and more vigorous plants.
19 Jun 2026
Early cherries in California offer strong market potential for growers, but success depends on adapted genetics, protected agriculture and climate risk management to secure fruit quality, consistency and profitability in the San Joaquin Valley, even in unstable seasons.
