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.
24 Aug 2023
The study conducted by researchers at the University of Tasmania (Australia) aimed to examine the effects of these modern cover systems on the microclimate, water uptake and quality of fruit produced in covered sweet cherry orchard.
24 Jan 2025
Some regions, like the Midwest, are facing the onset of an agricultural recession. The recession stems largely from extreme weather conditions, rising production and labor costs, global supply-and-demand imbalances, and declining farmer revenues and disaster aid.
12 Nov 2026
Rain, cold and low sunlight are complicating the cherry season in Chile. Walter Masman warns of risks to fruit quality and harvest. For Santina, further rain could cause losses of 15–20%: a hypothetical scenario that depends on weather forecasts over the next few weeks.
12 Nov 2026
Drosophila suzukii can infest healthy fruit, compromising quality and marketability. Timely treatments, monitoring, orchard sanitation and insecticide rotation help limit damage during harvest and reduce the risk of resistance. Learn when to start control measures.
