Blueberry harvesting is an activity that is part of the wider market for the processing and transformation of berries, which offer a great variety of products with very different characteristics. The evolution of this sector has favored the birth of new technologies and equipment designed to optimize both the harvesting operations and the conservation procedures of these particularly delicate berries.
The experience of Campagnola in the field of facilitated harvesting has allowed us to develop targeted proposals for blueberry shrubs, which meet the productivity and efficiency needs of professional farmers.
Blueberry industry in Italy and around the world
The juicy blueberries are grown in numerous geographical areas with different climate and characteristics. Among the main world producers, the United States and Canada undoubtedly stand out, placing a high tonnage of berries on the market. Poland is also one of the countries which produce the largest quantity of blueberries in the world, followed by Germany, Mexico, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and New Zealand.
The Italian production of blueberries is not particularly high in terms of quantity, but it is appreciated for the quality of the berries and the products derived from their transformation.
Different climatic areas determine a different harvesting seasonality.
Blueberries can be considered ready for detachment from the branch when they are completely blue. Intercepting the best harvesting time allows the operators to avoid harvesting unripe or already wilted berries.
In addition to the identification the varieties which can be grown at different latitudes and the exact ripeness moment, one of the most important problems for blueberry growers is the implementation of harvesting techniques to preserve the aesthetic and organoleptic characteristics of these fruits intact, guaranteeing a high productivity of such operations.
Manual or mechanical harvest
The traditional blueberry harvesting method is manual, a technique which preserves the quality of the berry, but needs numerous, selected, well-trained operators.
The specific conformation of these shrubs, which are basically low and bushy, is adequate for different methods of mechanized harvesting, facilitated by means of the most modern tools, which detach the berries by shaking the branch. The advantages of these techniques are clear: they speed up harvesting times, exponentially increase the results and significantly reduce labor costs.
The research by Campagnola moves precisely in this direction, trying to design and manufacture tools for facilitated blueberry harvesting, which make these operations more efficient, while preserving the plant well-being and the berry integrity. Our solution is called STARBERRY MD2, a professional electric hook shaker, designed for the most intensive use.
Starberry MD2 for fast and practical blueberry harvesting
The electric hook shaker of the Campagnola PROFESSIONAL Line is the result of a careful study of the most concrete needs of blueberry growers, who are engaged every day in the cultivation of these fruiting shrubs.
Equipped with two different shaking hooks, the tool gives a high harvest result with any type of blueberry plant and cultivation. Its speed can vary from 600 to 2200 vibrations per minute, allowing the operator to adapt the intervention to the degree of ripeness of the berries and to overcome the difficulty of detaching from the branches.
In addition to the great reduction of the timing and costs of each intervention, the mechanization of harvesting operations also prevents the berries from being touched by the operator’s hands. This way they can keep their freshness and integrity.
Powered by practical plug-in lithium-ion batteries, STARBERRY MD2 is very handy and lightweight (only 1.431 kg, battery included). This makes it suitable for any context of use. The long autonomy of the three batteries supplied also allows the operator to work non-stop for about 9 / 12 consecutive hours, stopping only for the necessary time to replace the power source.
Another advantage of STARBERRY MD2 is a special blueberry gathering trolley, in which the just harvested berries can be conveyed directly to the boxes without being touched at any time by the operators.
How can you test STARBERRY MD2 performance?
The professional hook shaker by Campagnola is available in our specialized dealers’ shops. To test its efficiency, you can ask for an appointment at the closest sales and service point, in order to view the tool and test its performance.
To find our dealers or importers, just browse the Sales Network section of our website. If you want to learn more about STARBERRY MD2, you can explore the dedicated product page, or download and browse our new digital catalog.
Our team of experts is at your constant disposal to guide you through the universe of the proposals of Campagnola and help you understand which one is right for you!