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.
10 Nov 2025
The 2025/26 cherry harvest begins in South Africa’s Western Cape with new varieties and a 16% rise in production. Exports to Europe, the UK and China benefit from earlier harvests, larger fruit sizes and improved cold chain handling for premium quality.
11 Jun 2024
The study compared 3 Grace Star plants with increasing density (low, medium and high), without cover, between the provinces of Modena and Forlì-Cesena. As the data show, the cherry tree in Emilia-Romagna is still a profitable investment.
09 Apr 2026
A study conducted in Chile evaluates chemical thinning in cherry trees using TSA and ACC, compared with manual methods. Results highlight impacts on fruit set, quality and size, offering practical insights for improving orchard productivity and efficiency.
09 Apr 2026
At the IFTA conference in California, new technologies for cherry and stone fruit orchards highlight benefits and limits. From automation and planar systems to growth regulators, growers assess costs, yields and sustainability to improve quality and market competitiveness.
