Supply chains are intricate, highly technical systems that, inevitably, are full of predictable stressors – and those lovely surprise (!) issues, too. When it comes to fruit production, growers, pickers, shippers, and work crew managers must sprint against the time trials of the season, before, during, and after harvest. The season waits for no one, so how can fresh fruit supply chain hiccups be soothed, to boost profitability and limit waste?

New technology solutions continue to enter the agtech market aiming to ease the challenges with sustainable commercial growing. From refining labor needs to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and pesticides, today’s cutting-edge innovations are focused on using resources more efficiently and mindfully. Much like how Croptracker continues to find new ways for farm management to be safer and more profitable, other agtech players aim to close the gap on all things growing, especially as each season offers its surprises.

Check our roundup of recent and upcoming innovations throughout the agtech sector below the fold.

Agriculture has always been about adaptation: tweaking practices, nurturing ideal conditions against the year’s odds, and honing in on cultivars that can be coaxed into thriving for a predictable harvest. It’s practicing equal parts ‘planning with foresight’ and ‘embracing what comes’ – and 2021’s cherry season certainly required the stamina and resilience that draws from both elements.

Will the apple harvest in North America require much of the same?

Harvesting for the fresh produce market demands conscientious, strategic attention to quality metrics that determine the worth of a season. Done right, and the maximized return is clear for all parties in the supply chain. Gathering key data insights at the orchard or on receipt at the packinghouse boosts the efficiency of the steps that follow: pack or store, then ship.