Sunforest объединяет контроль качества и прослеживаемость авокадо в единой цифровой системе

For growers and exporters, measuring fruit quality and documenting where it came from have traditionally been two separate processes. Sunforest is looking to bring them together through AgroTrace360, an integrated system that connects its portable H100 NIR spectrometer with a digital platform for field data, traceability and quality management. The approach is particularly relevant to avocados, although the technology is also being used for apples, pears and mangoes. According to Gabriel Grinberg of Sunforest, the objective is not simply to measure fruit quality, but to turn each measurement into usable and auditable field information. "The H100 measures internal characteristics including dry matter, Brix, moisture and firmness non-destructively, allowing growers to assess fruit directly in the field within seconds. The measurement is then transferred via Bluetooth to the AgroTrace 360 mobile application," Gabriel explains. © Sunforest Co. Ltd. This is where the physical device becomes part of a wider digital system. He adds, "The application records the measurement together with the exact GPS location, time and operator information, while users can also add photographs, videos, notes and other evidence." The resulting record forms what Gabriel describes as a "digital certificate." Importantly, the system is designed for field conditions where connectivity cannot be guaranteed. "AgroTrace 360 can operate offline, storing measurements until a mobile connection becomes available, after which the data is automatically synchronized with the cloud." "Calculations and calibrations are processed dynamically in the cloud rather than on the physical device itself," Grinberg says. This also allows the system to work with multiple calibration curves and different fruit types, rather than restricting its use to a single crop or quality parameter." © Sunforest Co. Ltd. For avocado growers, the practical application is particularly clear. Dry matter measurements from individual trees can be translated into heat maps, with colour coding showing areas that are approaching harvest readiness. Gabriel shares the example of a Peruvian grower already using this data to allow international customers, mainly in the US, to follow crop development in real time. The accumulated information can also become more valuable over time. "Historical measurements can be compared with changing climatic conditions, creating a dataset that can support predictive models and help growers move from reacting to conditions to anticipating them." The pressure for this type of information is also coming increasingly from retailers and export markets. Gabriel says retailers are demanding traceability at harvest, while initiatives in the avocado sector are seeking to address one of the industry's key commercial risks of premature harvesting to capture high prices at the beginning of the season. © Sunforest Co. Ltd. For Hass avocados, the 21% dry matter threshold is a critical maturity benchmark. According to Gabriel, making this requirement binding across the supply chain would shift quality control from an operator-level recommendation to a stricter compliance framework, with buyers expected to reject batches that do not meet the minimum. "This is where NIR technology can play a practical role. Rather than relying solely on destructive testing, fruit can be assessed on the tree or at the unloading point, providing immediate evidence of maturity while preserving the product. The same measurement can then be linked to the plot, batch, operator and time of inspection through AgroTrace 360." Gabriel notes that major European retailers are increasingly asking for plot-level geolocation, due diligence and quality evidence. "In Mexico, deforestation-free commitments promoted by APEAM are also contributing to demand for more sophisticated digital traceability." AgroTrace 360 began distribution around six months ago in Mexico, Peru, Spain and Portugal and is available to Sunforest H100 users. "We see further opportunities in Spain and across Latin America, particularly Peru, Mexico and Chile. By connecting the fruit, the measurement, the location and the evidence in one digital workflow, we aim to position NIR spectroscopy as part of a broader decision-making infrastructure for modern fruit production and exports," Gabriel concludes. Meet the Sunforest team at Asia Fruit Logistica, booth 3D15. For more information: Gabriel Grinberg Sunforest Co. Ltd. Tel: +34 651 354 079 Email: [email protected] www.sunforest.es