According to the president of the Dutch greenhouse sector association Glastuinbouw Nederland, Adri Bom-Lemstra, robotization in strawberry cultivation continues to pose a significant challenge.
For instance, adequate genetic solutions for plants and a suitable cultivation system are still lacking to enable large-scale use of robots. "Subsidies are particularly necessary to accelerate robotization," she stated on January 8 during the opening of Strawberry Day 2025 in Den Bosch.
Moreover, producers must contend with a growing labor shortage in the industry, Adri Bom-Lemstra emphasized. "By 2030, the shortage will increase by an additional 20% due to an aging population and a lower influx of migrant workers. Investments in robotization and support through artificial intelligence are therefore essential," Bom-Lemstra pointed out.
The labor factor accounts for at least 45% of the production cost of berries, mainly due to inflation and the increase in the statutory minimum wage. To achieve well-functioning robots in the berry sector, many challenging aspects still need to be addressed, she added. For example, it already takes five years to develop a minimally functional harvesting robot. In her opinion, robot developers need to coordinate more effectively with producers.
Source: Fruitnet
