UNITEC and innovation: technological solutions for cherry sorting

04 Oct 2024
2714

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

'The expert reports’: the new Cherry Times column

Tech management

13 Sep 2024

Dr. Patricio Morales, a Chilean consultant and internationally renowned agronomist, will contribute a regular column to our publication, focusing on highly topical technical and practical aspects with a strong professional content on cherry cultivation.

Best season in five years for Turkish cherries in 2024

Markets

01 Nov 2024

The outlook is favourable for Turkish cherry exporters, which in 2024 experienced one of the best seasons in recent years, thanks to an already improved performance the previous year. In 2023, exports amounted to USD 83 million.

In evidenza

Genomics and cherries: the race is on in Jerte to develop new varieties better suited to the market

Breeding

16 Apr 2026

Genomics is accelerating cherry breeding in Spain’s Jerte Valley: Cicytex and local cooperatives launch a 2026-2030 project to identify new varieties faster, analysing 1,000 trees and 110 cultivars in one of Europe’s leading modern cherry-growing regions.

Sweet cherry pruning management in Moldova: combined effects of timing and techniques on yield and fruit quality

Tech management

16 Apr 2026

Cherry pruning in Moldova directly affects yield and fruit quality: summer pruning and renewal cuts improve size, productivity, and uniformity. Trials on varieties and rootstocks highlight effective strategies for managing modern intensive cherry orchards.

Tag Popolari