AgroFresh highlights a predictive approach to berry quality at Fruitnet Berry Congress 2026

AgroFresh participated as a Platinum Sponsor, exhibitor, and speaker at the Fruitnet Berry Congress 2026, held on 19–20 March in London.

The Congress brought together retailers, breeders, and packers/exporters from across the global berry value chain, providing a platform to address one of the key challenges in the sector: maintaining consistent quality while managing variability and reducing shrink.

As part of the AI & Automation programme, Malkeet Padda, Ph.D., Director of R&D and Regulatory at AgroFresh, presented “The Future of Berry Quality: Powered by Intelligence.” Drawing on industry experience, he emphasised that technology must be supported by solid biological and operational fundamentals.

He outlined the key factors that underpin berry quality—genetics, physiology, growing conditions, and harvest practices—and noted that technology can enhance these elements, but not replace them.

Building on this, the presentation addressed a shift towards moving from reactive quality control to a more predictive approach to performance management.

Padda said

“Variability is the single biggest hidden cost in berries. Too often, quality risks are only identified after shipment, when it is already too late to act.”

AgroFresh noted that, although large volumes of data exist across the value chain, they remain fragmented, limiting the ability to make timely and informed decisions. In this context, the question raised was whether the sector is managing fruit or managing variability.

A three-stage approach to berry quality

To address this, AgroFresh presented an integrated approach structured around three stages:

• Measure early, decide smarter: reducing variability at the source through precise harvest timing and AI-powered, objective quality assessment
• Protect and monitor: managing transit and storage risks with decay control solutions and real-time condition monitoring
• Connect the system: integrating data across harvest, grading and cold chain to enable predictive shelf-life modelling and risk-based decision-making

This approach aims to improve visibility across the supply chain and support more coordinated decision-making.

Presence at the exhibition area

At its stand, AgroFresh demonstrated how this system can be applied in practice, combining solutions such as Harvista™, Berrisys™, FreshCloud™, and real-time monitoring technologies to support quality from pre-harvest through to retail.

During the event, the company engaged with breeders, packers/exporters, and retailers, addressing how a connected approach can help reduce shrink, improve consistency, and support decision-making.

AgroFresh’s participation in the Congress is part of its work focused on integrating science, technology, and data in the management of fruit quality.

About AgroFresh

AgroFresh is an AgTech company that develops science-based solutions combining plant physiology, digital technologies, and sustainability to optimise fresh produce quality and improve supply chain performance from pre-harvest through to retail.