How do fruit sorting machines help reduce waste?
In a world where there are more and more of us, we must ensure our survival without compromising the survival of future generations.
To this end, it is necessary to reduce food waste as much as possible. Fruit sorting machines contribute to this by improving the sustainability of agricultural operations.
And this is exactly what we are going to discuss in today’s article.
Make yourself comfortable and let’s get started.
The challenge of food waste in agriculture
Food waste is one of the most serious problems facing the agricultural sector globally.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), 14% of the food produced worldwide is lost before it reaches the point of sale, with fruit and vegetables being one of the most affected groups. This waste amounts to:
- A considerable economic loss for farmers
- Significant environmental impact, as vital resources such as water, land and energy are wasted during production.
In the specific case of fruit, a large part of these losses occur during harvesting and processing, due to inefficient sorting.
The manual or incorrect sorting process results in fruits that are fit for consumption being discarded due to minor aesthetic imperfections or incorrect grading for ripeness.
The problem? This results in tonnes of fruit never reaching consumers and being lost along the supply chain.
In this situation, fruit sorting machines with calibration software allow for much more accurate and efficient sorting.
By optimising this process, crop utilisation can be maximised, reducing losses and promoting more sustainable practices in agricultural production.
The impact of wastage in the production and consumption chain
Traditional sorting methods in agriculture, although used for decades, have serious limitations that contribute to large-scale fruit wastage and result in a significant amount of suitable fruit not reaching the market.
This waste impacts on three areas:
- On the one hand, on the agricultural economy, as producers lose potential income by discarding a considerable part of their crops.
- On the other hand, on food availability. In a world where millions of people face food insecurity, losing large quantities of fruit due to poor sorting is a luxury that cannot be afforded. This inefficiency reduces the supply of fresh produce, increases prices and affects the accessibility of healthy food.
- It exacerbates environmental problems. Every fruit that is discarded represents an investment of water, land, fertiliser and energy that has been used in vain. Agricultural production consumes large amounts of these resources, and when the fruits are not consumed, all that effort and expense is lost. In addition, discarded fruits often end up in landfills, where they decompose and release (even in small quantities) greenhouse gases such as methane, contributing to climate change.
How sorting machines reduce fruit wastage
Advanced technology reduces fruit waste by optimising sorting at various stages of the production chain.
- Sorting accuracy
Sorting machines reduce the margin of human error in the sorting process. Thanks to high-tech sensors, these machines analyse multiple characteristics of the fruit (size, colour, texture, ripeness level…) and this allows for a much more accurate sorting than the human eye.
By ensuring that only fruits that truly do not meet quality standards are sorted, waste is minimised, efficiency is improved and resource usage is maximised. - Optimising fruit utilisation
In addition to sorting fruit for the fresh market, sorting machines can identify fruit that, although not perfect for direct consumption, can be used in other sectors of the food industry.
This group includes, for example:
- Fruits with small imperfections
- Fruits that have over-ripened or are about to over-ripen.
These fruits are grouped and can be used for the production of juices, jams, preserves or dried fruits.
This multiple sorting capability ensures that almost no fruit goes to waste, maximising the use of each harvested unit for various commercial purposes. In this way, farmers not only reduce waste, but can also diversify their products and increase their profitability.
- Reducing discarding due to appearance
In many cases, fruit is discarded for aesthetic imperfections, such as skin blemishes or irregular shapes, even though its internal quality is excellent. Sorting machines, however, can make much more detailed distinctions between the external appearance and the actual quality of the fruit.
This allows the fruit to be sold in lower grades or to be used for the production of other products as in the previous case.
Contribution to sustainability and reduction of carbon footprint
Electronic fruit sorting contributes to the sustainability of agricultural production in the following ways:
- Reducing resource use. By reducing waste, the machines help to reduce unnecessary use of resources such as water, fertiliser and energy in the production of fruit that does not reach the markets.
- More efficient logistics: With accurate sorting, logistics and transport of fruit become more efficient, as shipments of low-quality produce are avoided, which also helps to reduce carbon emissions.
The future of fruit sorting and sustainability
The future of fruit grading is constantly evolving, driven by technological advances that promise to transform the efficiency and sustainability of agriculture. Among the most prominent emerging trends are the use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and enhanced vision systems, which are taking automation to unprecedented levels.
Artificial Intelligence and machine learning
The integration of AI and machine learning into fruit sorting machines allows these systems to continuously learn and improve from data collected during the sorting process. These technologies can analyse complex patterns and make more accurate decisions by identifying and sorting fruit according to a variety of parameters, including internal characteristics not visible to the human eye.
For example, machines can assess the internal ripeness, sugar content and firmness of fruit without invasive procedures or damage. With deep learning algorithms, systems can distinguish subtle variations in quality that previously went unnoticed, further reducing waste and ensuring that consumers receive the highest quality produce.
Improved vision systems
Advances in camera and sensor technology are taking machine vision systems to new levels of accuracy.
Today’s cameras allow sorting machines to detect internal defects, disease or damage that would otherwise be undetectable. This not only improves the quality of the final product, but also helps to identify problems at an early stage, enabling timely corrective actions in the production process.
Combining these advanced cameras with AI facilitates real-time fruit sorting, even on high-speed production lines. This increases operational efficiency and reduces costs associated with processing and storage.
Automation and advanced robotics
The incorporation of robotic systems in fruit sorting and handling is another trend that is gaining momentum.
Robots equipped with tactile and vision sensors can handle fruit gently, minimising damage and preserving quality. Automating these repetitive tasks frees workers to focus on higher value-added activities, improving overall productivity.
Impact on sustainability
The adoption of these emerging technologies has a direct impact on agricultural sustainability. The use of resources such as water, energy and land is optimised. In addition, the ability to detect and separate fruits affected by pests or diseases aids in prevention and contributes to a healthier and more sustainable agriculture.
Automation also enables better traceability and data management in the supply chain, facilitating more transparent and responsible practices.
Towards smart farming
The future points towards smart farming, where the interconnection of sorting machines with other agricultural systems creates an integrated ecosystem.
The use of the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data will enable better farm management, optimising everything from irrigation to distribution logistics.
These innovations will not only increase efficiency and sustainability, but will also help address global challenges such as food security and climate change. By reducing waste and improving productivity, advanced sorting technology will play a crucial role in feeding a growing world population in a sustainable way.
In conclusion, fruit wastage is not only an economic loss, but also a threat to sustainability and the environment. This is why the modernisation of sorting processes, through the use of fruit sorting machines, becomes crucial to reduce these losses and make more efficient use of resources now and in the future.