Apples are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world, with a global production of over 86 million tons in 2020. However, the process of harvesting, storing, and distributing apples present numerous challenges for growers, packers, and shippers. In this article, we will explore some of the challenges facing apple growers and the technological and operational innovations that are helping to overcome these challenges.

This week the Global Food Safety Initiative’s annual conference met in Atlanta. With more than 800 delegates from 50 countries, this conference brings together food safety experts from around the world. This conference’s theme: Delivering Safe Food in Turbulent Times: The Need for Agility & Resilience centered around how climate change, global political instability, and supply chain disruptions have affected access to safe food.

Autonomous tractors, robot weeding, even smart sorting machines and pack lines are all examples of advanced agtech innovations that have been widely accepted in the industry. But when it comes to transforming produce into the actual food we eat, there has been a hesitancy to adopt the same autonomous technologies.

Fertilizers are a crucial input in modern agriculture, where profit margins may be slim and maximizing yield is critical. But the rising cost of fertilizers over the last few years, particularly potash, has made it difficult for farmers to maintain optimal nutrient levels in their soil while also ensuring high-quality crops with high yields.