Technology supplier foodlife and TOP, a food innovation service provider located in the Netherlands, have developed a new, patented grape picking technology called the Pluckr.
Launched at the Fruit Logistica in Berlin, the latest innovation will allow fruit processors to easily pick grapes from the stem on a large scale without damaging the product.
The Pluckr can easily be combined with PerfoTec's Respiration Control System that can extend the shelf life significantly. This will let fruit processors maintain the quality as well as achieve new geographic markets.
Operated by a maximum of two operators, the Pluckr shakes the grapes off rapidly and easily, without damaging. This finally makes it economically feasible to sell loosely packed grapes, without any quality loss due to damage.
The machine is designed to process 300 to 600kg per hour, depending on the size and the type of the grape.
A fruit processor in the Benelux will be delivered with the first machine.
TOP and foodlife will now continue the development of the Pluckr for other fruits such as berries.
