Qualicrop

A new sorting system will use cameras and machine learning to grade fruit and vegetables as they move along a conveyor belt, deciding in real time which are fit to sell and which are not. Currently, much of the technology for automated crop sorting is too expensive for small farms and too rigid for the variety of shapes and imperfections found in fresh produce. This forces growers to rely on manual inspection or to sell mixed-quality batches at lower prices, with supermarkets often charging back costs for substandard items. The project aims to build affordable, flexible sorting hardware and software that can detect bruises, disease, or ripeness issues just before packing. If successful, the system could cut food waste by catching defects earlier, reduce the number of rejected shipments, and lower prices for shoppers. It would also allow smaller English farms to adopt automation that is currently reserved for large-scale processors. By shortening the supply chain and reducing food miles, the technology could lower CO₂ emissions. The partners also plan to open new markets for crops that are currently too variable to sort cost-effectively.