Automation is key in horticulture

"Labour costs of concern to Spanish growers", read our publication in March 2018 - but this is not of concern just to Spanish growers. The whole horticultural industry is coping with labour shortages. Fortunately we also published on some automation novelties that month. Take a peak and see if you haven't missed them. 

Labour costs of concern to Spanish growers
Strict controls on the presence of illegal workers, a shortage of skilled people and labor-intensive crops are all causes for the rise of labor costs in Spanish horticulture. Over the last year, costs have risen by 20 per cent, becoming a severe issue to growers.

New packaging line processes 20,000 mini cucumbers per hour 
The new sorting and packaging line by Christiaens Agro Systems processes 20,000 mini cucumbers. The new system, consisting of 6 robots, 4 packaging lines with a capacity of 20,000 pieces per hour, was introduced last Friday in the shed of Tromptransport in Eindhoven. 

with robot-assisted pepper packaging 
30% more productivity and fewer failures 
Combilo - a fruit and vegetables wholesaler in the Netherlands, recently installed a new robot-assisted packaging line and, overnight, increased productivity by 30%. 

Portugal: The quest for best strawberry
"We were told that it was impossible to make these strawberries in Portugal. They also told us that a strawberry is very difficult to work with: very sensitive and that we could not deal with the quality needs. 

Critical consumers offer opportunities for illuminated tomato production
Market for snack tomatoes continues to grow
During the tomato crisis of 1996, which was characterised by extremely low prices, Erik de Winter invested in a packing line. The grower wanted to add value to his products this way. 

Photo report: Syngenta We Love Tomato Event 
Walking by the shelf of a supermarket these days it might be hard to believe, but there was a time a snack tomato wasn’t a product at all. These days the industry has matured. Competition is growing and new challenges are born to growers: How to keep or expand your market in a more crowded industry? 

Queen Maxima opens the World Horti Center
Queen Maxima opened the World Horti Center in Naaldijk. Also present were the minister for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Carola Schouten and of course the usual suspects from the horticultural sector.

Photo report: First edition HortEx Vietnam 
More than 110 exhibitors gathered last week in Ho Chi Minh City to take part in the first edition of the HortEx Vietnam. The level of visitors and the business opportunities in Vietnam and surrounding countries pleased the participants and the dates for the 2019 edition have been set already.