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.
06 Dec 2023
The latest releases are ʿPapillon®ʾ, a bicolor cherry that tastes sweet, ripens 3 weeks after ʿBurlatʾ and ʿKira®ʾ, an early-mid-season large, shiny, firm cherry, both are distributed by Artevos who supports the breeding program.
02 Feb 2024
Birds, a threat to crops or friends for integrated pest management strategies? At the 'Stone Fruit Day' organised by Washington State University, the focus was on the role of birds in agriculture, looking at pros and cons of the latest research on the subject.
17 Nov 2025
Hort Innovation launches a new project to enhance biosecurity for Australia’s cherry and summerfruit industries. A dedicated officer will support growers, manage pest incursions, and promote best practices to strengthen international market access and on-farm resilience.
17 Nov 2025
Gräb Nursery visits top cherry growers in the UK to evaluate late Kir® varieties. Focus on fruit quality, storage and cracking resistance. In partnership with Frank P Matthews Trees, the aim is to develop stronger, tastier and climate-adapted cherry cultivars.
