Market Trends of Global Fruit Picker Industry
Investments in Automation and Technology
Increasing investments in automation and robotics, coupled with farmers' shift towards technology-driven solutions, are propelling the growth of the fruit pickers market. Several key developments illustrate this trend. In 2023, the UK government allocated USD 13.5 million for research and development in automation and robotics, aiming to enhance productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
Many agricultural sectors face labor shortages, especially in seasonal work like fruit picking due to which they are shifting towards automation, For instance, the 2024 U.S. labor survey of fruit and vegetable growers revealed that 26% of respondents are considering automation to address labor shortages, with 64% specifically focusing on harvesting solutions.
Robotic fruit pickers, utilizing advanced algorithms, can identify and locate fruits in orchards or nurseries. To address the challenges of manual fruit picking, growers are investing in technologies that perform multiple activities, encouraging the development of innovative solutions that will drive market growth.
In 2022, Singapore-based Singrow introduced agronomic solutions using robots in its harvesting and pollination systems. These robots, integrated with artificial intelligence (AI), employ cameras and infrared scanners to identify and select ripe strawberries, significantly improving efficiency.
Robots are particularly advantageous for small and medium enterprises. In space-constrained environments like Singapore, SMEs are adopting robots that can operate in close proximity to people and are user-friendly. This trend is expected to further stimulate the fruit pickers market in the coming years. These factors collectively indicate robust market growth, driven by automation as a solution to labor shortages and the need for increased productivity in the fruit picking industry.
Smart Agriculture Solutions Driving Market Growth in North America
- North America dominates the global fruit picker market, with numerous companies introducing innovative fruit-picking solutions. These advancements in manual and robotic fruit-picking tools are helping fruit growers across the region manage harvesting more efficiently. For example, Advanced Farm Technologies Inc., an autonomous fruit harvesting equipment manufacturer, has developed new robots for apple picking. This development was supported by a grant from a Washington State AG Group and utilizes software, optics, and robotics originally designed for strawberry picking in California.
- The United States is a significant market for both robotic and manual fruit pickers in North America, driven by companies innovating new products. Nanovel, an Israeli AgTech startup, has introduced an AI-powered autonomous fruit-harvesting robot capable of picking tree fruit for the fresh market in 2024. This technology addresses the challenges of farm labor shortages and increasing costs. The California Citrus Research Board (CRB) recognized the potential of Nanovel's technology and signed a non-dilutive funding agreement of USD 900,000, which includes the delivery of the robot after field trials in California. These trials are scheduled to begin in spring 2025 in collaboration with leading citrus growers.
- Smart agriculture solutions are becoming increasingly prevalent to meet rising food demand. The farming industry continues to innovate with new products and technologies to optimize labor while improving food quality and quantity. These factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.
