UNITEC and innovation: technological solutions for cherry sorting

04 Oct 2024
2878

In 2024, cherry production faced numerous challenges due to climate conditions, that affected both the amount and the quality of the harvest. Late frosts, heavy rains, and other weather-related events put significant pressure on growers, drastically reducing production in some cases. Despite these challenges, the demand for cherries remained high, with prices rising especially for premium-quality fruit.

In this complex scenario, UNITEC technologies have provided a decisive solution for the industry. Advanced systems like Cherry Vision 3.0 and 3.5 AI have revolutionized the way cherries are selected and sorted. Thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, these technologies allow to detect external defects with extreme precision, such as imperfections in the skin or variations in color and shape, ensuring that only high-quality fruit is delivered to the market.

Additionally, with the use of cutting-edge sensors, UNITEC’s sorting systems can also analyze the internal parameters of cherries, thus maximizing the value of every single fruit. Indeed, with UNIQ Cherry, it is possible to detect ripeness and firmness, further enhancing the effectiveness of the sorting process.

These innovative solutions enable fruit packing houses to significantly boost operational margins, drastically reduce labor costs, and entering new markets by offering consistent quality to their Customers—a key factor in building trust between the parties.

Thanks to these advanced technologies, all developed in-house by UNITEC’s R&D department at their headquarters in Italy, producers are better equipped to handle climate challenges while maintaining a high level of competitiveness. They can bring guaranteed quality cherries to market, even under adverse weather conditions.

Source: Unitec
Image: Unitec


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Picota cherries shine despite rain, strong harvest ahead

Production

10 Jun 2025

The 2025 Picota cherry season in Spain’s Jerte Valley starts two weeks late, but expectations are high for a medium-to-large harvest with excellent fruit quality. Rain and hail had minimal impact. The UK remains the top export market for the product, followed by Spain.

Growth regulators and frost strategies for cherry trees: the Moldovan case study

Tech management

10 Jun 2025

In Moldova, research on cherry trees shows how growth regulators and anti-frost products improve cold tolerance and fruit yields. The use of paclobutrazol and Cropaid NPA enhanced flowering, vegetative growth, and productivity in varieties like Lapins and Skeena.

In evidenza

Rootstocks and heat stress: the most resilient genotypes for subtropical sweet cherry production

Rootstocks

27 May 2026

A field study in China’s Zhejiang province assesses heat tolerance in five sweet cherry rootstocks. Lanting and Colt stand out for leaf resilience, antioxidant defense and hormonal balance, providing practical guidance for orchards facing longer, hotter and more extreme summers.

Uzbekistan is promoting a sustainable supply chain for sweet cherries

Production

27 May 2026

Uzbekistan and FAO strengthen sustainable sweet cherry value chain through OCOP and FAO-China South-South Cooperation, focusing on innovation, traceability, logistics, lower post-harvest losses and international market access to support rural incomes and export growth now.

Tag Popolari