UNITEC AI technology helps cherry packers improve quality and reduce losses

UNITEC is highlighting the role of artificial intelligence in cherry sorting, as growers and packers face a more demanding market and a difficult production season in Spain.

According to the company, firmness, colour and Brix level are now key factors in the commercial value of cherries. To help packers meet these requirements, UNITEC has developed automated systems for sorting, processing and packing fresh produce, including cherries.

Detecting hidden defects

The company’s CHERRY VISION 3.5 AI and CHERRY VISION 4.0 AI systems use artificial intelligence to detect defects that can be hard to see with the human eye. These include recent cuts, colour differences, insect damage, Drosophila-related damage and surface defects.

Sorting by flavour potential

UNITEC also points to UNIQ CHERRY, a technology designed to assess not only the external appearance of the fruit, but also internal quality factors linked to flavour, such as ripeness and sugar content. The aim is to help packers separate lots more accurately and send each quality level to the most suitable market.

Difficult Spanish season

The technology is being used during a challenging Spanish cherry campaign, affected by persistent rain at the start of the season and sudden temperature changes.

Llamfruit Cherry, a cherry producer, packer and exporter based in Aragón, has recently added CHERRY VISION 4.0 AI to its operations. Carlos Llambrich, General Director of Llamfruit Cherry, said that the main challenge this season is keeping shipments consistent when incoming fruit quality is very uneven. He said the new UNITEC system is helping the company sort delicate fruit more precisely, separate qualities more reliably and adapt each lot to the right market.

Llamfruit Cherry also estimates that the system has improved operational efficiency by 15% to 20% compared with previous campaigns. The company says more regular quality is helping reduce customer claims and strengthen client confidence.

UNITEC said similar benefits are being seen at Agrupación de Cooperativas Valle del Jerte in Extremadura, where the technology is helping maintain more uniform quality standards during periods of high pressure and mixed fruit quality.

Frutas Agrotrain, another Spanish cherry company, also reported that vision technology has helped it make better use of fruit that might otherwise have been left unharvested or discarded.

Tailored packing lines

UNITEC says its automated lines are designed to handle cherries gently from reception to final packaging. The company adds that each installation is tailored to the needs of the packing house and includes technologies developed by its internal research and development team.

UNITEC has more than 20 operating branches in key producing countries and a commercial network in over 65 countries. Cherry packers interested in improving quality control and operational efficiency can send their inquiry for a free consultation.