FruitSpec technology – the value of cleverly measured yield
Fruit volume and its size distribution are the primary influencers of a fruit packer’s revenue and profitability. Packhouse marketers use yield estimation data to make the right business decisions, connecting market demand, and yield availability.
Various parts of the supply chain, e.g., packaging, picking, and distributing, are making use of yield estimation data as well. However, managing and understanding yield estimation prior to harvest isn’t simple at all.
Yield estimation accuracy is problematic. Packing houses count on manual observation, counting fruits on randomly selected trees in their orchards, which results in only 60% – 70% accuracy. These imprecise estimations greatly impact business decision-making, like marketing decisions (quantities and fruit size sales optimization), and logistics (bins, packaging equipment, storage needs, picking schedule).
These aspects result in harmed profitability for the different stakeholders in the fruit value chain ecosystem.
The founders of FruitSpec are aware of this. FruitSpec yield prediction service provides accurate data and tools to manage the yield. The service provided allows customers to reach their orchards revenue potential and increase their top line by 5% to 10%. FruitSpec, established in Israel in 2016 by three co-founders, citrus growers, and hyperspectral remote sensing experts, were aware of the continuous obstacle of yield estimation. The company’s main objective is to solve the substantial pain of non-accurate early season fruit yield estimation and to introduce this innovative solution to global agriculture companies.
FruitSpec brings breakthrough technology to the fruit market. Based on hyperspectral imaging and deep learning algorithms, the FruitSpec service provides accurate (>90%) early season (green fruit) yield estimations. Fruit that can’t be recognized and monitored manually and systematically due to the similarity between the colour of the fruits (green) and the colour of surrounding foliage (green) is now smartly observed by the system at the early season.
The hyperspectral patented technology is mounted on a vehicle. The system scans the orchards, and the perceived data is analyzed on the cloud. The outcome is a detailed report (provided a week following the scanning) of fruit number, weight, volume, and size distribution currently available, and the predictive packaging size distribution.
Whether you’re managing citrus, apples, pears, peaches, pomegranates, nectarines, or grapes, the FruitSpec service is applicable for you.
In addition, FruitSpec provides tools that assist customers in managing seasonal yield in terms of marketing, picking, and general yield management as part of its regular services.
Moving towards digitalization of the orchards’ data contributes to every member of the value chain from the grower through the packing house and the distributor, up until the retailer. A proper yield management facilitation stands at the heart of FruitSpec activities.
Any potential customer that wishes to optimize and elevate revenues while accurately planning future logistics operational management, and above all making the right decisions based on accurate data, would benefit from the transition towards advanced yield management technology.
FruitSpec support is available in South Africa, USA, Europe, Chile and Israel.
For further information, please contact Mr. Deon Pelser – deon@fruitspec.com and Mr. Ruhan Kasselman – Ruhan@fruitspec.com