Brix degree measuring is an important quality metric for specialty crop growers and horticulture. Brix° levels inform both harvest planning, storage, packing and sales decision making. The accuracy and utility of field Brix readings depend significantly on managing both environmental inputs and sampling consistency. As a result, ensuring the testing tools work well and sampling processes and reporting are standardized is vital for making properly informed decisions. In this article we detail the factors influencing Brix test results, explain refractometer model options and have compared several popular Brix refractometers popular with fresh produce growers and packers.

Speciality fruit and vegetable growers and packers are facing pressure from all sides. In an increasingly consolidated market with steep labor and input costs, it can be difficult to gain any competitive advantage.

One of the strategies produce marketers have gone to more in the past few years is specialty, mixed variety packaging. A unique or curated mix of produce can be a key differentiator in a crowded market. A producer can brand a special "garden salad mix" or a "heirloom tomato medley" to attract consumers and potentially command a higher price point.

In this Croptracker use case blog we will outline how growers can maintain traceability requirements and productivity while creating mixed variety packed products in the field, greenhouse or from storage.

This software updates blog covers features and fixes from September 22 - October 3, 2025. Ensure your Croptracker mobile app is up to date to take advantage of these updates. Read on to learn more and get in touch with us at support@croptracker.com for more information.

The fresh produce industry operates in a complex and delicate ecosystem. Unlike sectors that deal in durable goods, this industry is uniquely vulnerable to the sudden shocks of trade policy shifts due to the perishable nature of its products, strict seasonal cycles, and an intricately woven, globally interconnected supply chain. The threat of a tariff, even if it is never implemented, can be as disruptive as a full-blown trade dispute. The inherent fragility means that a change in trade policy, whether it’s a tariff, a quota, or a new regulation, cannot be easily absorbed without significant risk to growers, buyers, and consumers.