Stratistics MRC에 따르면 세계 과일 피커 시장은 2025년에 21억 8,000만 달러를 차지할 전망이며 예측 기간 동안 CAGR 12.5%로 성장하여 2032년에는 49억 8,000만 달러에 이를 것으로 예상됩니다.
과일 피커는 나무와 농산물을 손상시키지 않고 효과적으로 과일을 수확하기 위해 만들어진 전용 기구와 기계입니다. 상처가 나지 않도록 바구니와 그립에 패드가 붙어있는 것도 있습니다.
전미농업조합(NFU)에 따르면 2022년 상반기에 2,380만 달러 상당의 농산물이 노동자 부족으로 인해 낭비되었다는 조사 결과가 있습니다.
신선한 과일에 대한 관심 증가
건강과 영양에 대한 의식의 고조가 세계에서 신선한 과일 수요를 밀어 올리고 있습니다. 그리고 과일이 최상의 상태로 시장에 도착하는 것을 보장하는 데 필수적입니다. 또한 기계화된 과일 피커는 처리 시간과 물리적 타박상을 줄이고 슈퍼마켓, 식품 가공업자, 수출 시장에서 필요로 하는 고품질의 손상되지 않은 과일을 생산하는 데 도움이 됩니다.
다양한 열매를 수확하기 어려움
과일 수확은 전통적인 작물과는 대조적으로 품질을 유지하고 손상을 피하기 위해 신중한 취급이 필요합니다. 과일에 비해 사과와 오렌지는 다른 파지 기술이 필요합니다. 또한, 익은 과일과 익지 않은 과일을 구별하는 것, 과도한 힘을 피하는 것, 복잡한 과수원의 레이아웃을 탐색하는 것이 어렵기 때문에 상황에 따라 자동화가 그다지 효과적이지 않을 수도 있습니다.
정확한 수확을 위한 로봇공학 및 AI 개발
과실의 수확 기술은 로봇공학, 머신러닝, 인공지능(AI)의 조합에 의해 혁신되고 있으며, 이를 통해 수확의 효율, 속도, 정밀도의 향상을 가능하게 하고 있습니다. 과실을 구별하고, 부패한 과실을 피하며, 복잡한 과수원 환경을 인간의 손을 거의 빌리지 않고 탐색할 수 있게 되었습니다. 또한, AI와 로봇공학이 보다 넓게 보급되면서 가격도 저렴해짐에 따라, 정밀 수확 솔루션 수요는 증가할 것으로 예상되어 제조업체나 기술 제공업체에 이익을 가져올 전망입니다.
작물 손상 및 과민성 위험
자동 시스템은 모든 과일을 효율적이며 손상 위험없이 수확할 수는 없으며 일부 과일은 신중하게 다루어야 합니다. 압력에 의해 야기되는 손상으로 인해 과일의 품질과 시장성이 저하될 수 있습니다. 예를 들어 수확이 안정적이지 않거나 빨라질 수 있습니다.
노동력 부족의 심각화, 공급체인의 치단, 농업 분야 자동화의 가속화에 의해 COVID-19의 대유행은 과일 피커 시장에 큰 영향을 주었습니다. 센서, 마이크로칩, 원료 등의 중요한 부품이 부족해지면서 자동 과일 선별기의 생산과 납품이 지연되었습니다. 또한, 많은 중소 농장은 재정적인 제약으로 인해 자동화 투자를 연기하게 되었습니다. 이 위기는 수작업에 의한 수확의 장점을 부각시켜 노동력 의존의 장기적인 구제책으로서 AI나 로봇을 탑재한 과일 피커에 대한 관심을 높였습니다.
예측 기간 동안 사과 부문이 최대가 될 전망
예측 기간 동안 사과 부문이 가장 큰 시장 점유율을 차지할 것으로 예상됩니다. 생산성을 향상시키고 수작업에 대한 의존성을 줄이기 위해 진공 기반 피커와 시각에 의해 유도되는 로봇 암과 같은 선진 기술이 점점 활용되고 있습니다.
예측 기간 동안 복합재료 부문의 CAGR이 가장 높을 것으로 예상
예측 기간 동안 복합재료 부문이 가장 높은 성장률을 보일 것으로 예측됩니다. 복합재료는 경량성, 내식성, 내구성에 의해 점점 인기가 높아지고 있습니다. 기존의 금속 및 플라스틱 부품보다 높은 강도와 유연성을 제공하는 자동화되고 로봇화된 과일 피커의 사용이 증가함에 따라 복합재료의 성장은 더욱 증가하고 있습니다.
예측 기간 동안 북미가 최대 시장 점유율을 차지할 것으로 예상됩니다. 지역에서는 인건비의 상승과 노동법의 엄격화에 의해 기계화 또는 로봇화된 과일 피커의 요구가 높아지고 있습니다. 또한, 시장 개척을 뒷받침하고 있는 것이, 정부 프로그램이나 농업 보조금에 의해 지지되고 있는 AI 기반 시각 유도 과일 피커 기술의 개발입니다.
예측 기간 중 아시아태평양은 가장 높은 CAGR을 나타낼 것으로 예측됩니다. 이는 과일 재배의 급속한 확대, 기계화의 진전, 중국, 인도, 일본 등의 주요 농업경제권에서의 노동력 부족 확대가 원동력이 되고 있습니다. 임금 상승과 농업 노동력 감소로 인해 과일 피커의 수요가 증가하고 있습니다. 시장 확대는 스마트 농업과 로봇 수확 시스템의 기술 개발을 지원하는 정부 프로그램에 의해 더욱 가속화되고 있습니다.
According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Fruit Picker Market is accounted for $2.18 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $4.98 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period. A fruit picker is a specialized instrument or machine made to effectively harvest fruits without endangering the tree or the produce. In order to reach high branches and gather fruits like apples, oranges, mangoes, and pears, it usually consists of a long pole with a basket or claw-like mechanism at the end. To avoid bruising, some sophisticated fruit pickers have padded baskets or padded grips. While commercial farms frequently use mechanized or automated fruit pickers to increase productivity, home gardens and small orchards still frequently use manual fruit pickers.
According to the National Farmers' Union (NFU), a survey highlighted that USD 23.8 million worth of produce was wasted in the first half of 2022 due to insufficient workers. This represents about a third of the UK horticulture sector, with the total value of wasted food estimated at over USD 64.8 million.
Growing interest in fresh fruits
Growing health and nutrition consciousness is driving up demand for fresh fruits worldwide. Customers' preference for natural and organic produce is fueling market growth in both developed and developing nations. In light of this growing demand, effective harvesting methods are essential to reducing post-harvest losses and guaranteeing that fruits arrive at markets in the best possible condition. Additionally, mechanized fruit pickers reduce handling time and physical bruising, which helps produce high-quality, undamaged fruits that are needed for supermarkets, food processors, and export markets.
Difficulty of gathering various fruits
Fruit harvesting, in contrast to traditional crops, necessitates cautious handling to preserve quality and avoid damage. It is difficult to create a universal automated solution because different fruits have different sizes, textures, ripening patterns, and growing environments. For example, compared to more delicate fruits like strawberries or cherries, apples and oranges require different gripping techniques. Furthermore, automation can be less effective in some situations due to the difficulty of distinguishing between ripe and unripe fruit, avoiding excessive force, and navigating intricate orchard layouts; in many cases, manual intervention is necessary.
Developments in robotics and AI for accurate harvesting
Fruit-picking technology is being revolutionized by the combination of robotics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI), which allows for increased harvesting efficiency, speed, and accuracy. With the use of deep learning algorithms, computer vision, and LiDAR sensors, AI-powered fruit pickers can now distinguish between ripe and unripe fruit, steer clear of spoiled produce, and maneuver through intricate orchard environments with little assistance from humans. Moreover, the demand for precision harvesting solutions is anticipated to increase as AI and robotics become more widely available and reasonably priced, offering manufacturers and technology provider's profitable prospects.
Risks of crop damage and sensitivity
Automated systems cannot harvest all fruits efficiently and without risk of damage. To prevent bruising, cracking, or crushing, delicate fruits like berries, grapes, peaches, and cherries must be handled carefully. Even though robotic fruit pickers have greatly improved in terms of accuracy and grip strength, they are still unable to replicate the delicate touch of human hands. For instance, the fruit's quality and marketability may suffer due to damage caused by excessive pressure from robotic grippers. Additionally, some fruit-picking devices lack the precision necessary to determine when fruit is ripe, which can result in inconsistent or early harvesting. Fruit growers face a great deal of difficulty because they must adhere to stringent quality standards set by exporters and retailers.
Due to its exacerbated labor shortages, disrupted supply chains, and accelerated adoption of automation in agriculture, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the fruit picker market. Because seasonal farm workers were scarce due to travel restrictions and lockdowns, there was a greater need for mechanized fruit-picking methods. However, supply chain interruptions resulted in shortages of vital parts like sensors, microchips, and raw materials, which delayed the production and delivery of automated fruit pickers. Many small and medium-sized farms were also compelled to delay their automation investments due to financial constraints. Positively, the crisis brought to light the fragility of manual harvesting, which sparked a greater interest in fruit pickers that are powered by AI and robotics as a long-term remedy for labor dependency.
The Apples segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period
The Apples segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. Harvesting apples requires a lot of work and accuracy to prevent harm to the trees and fruit. The use of mechanical and robotic fruit pickers has been fueled by the strong demand for apples around the world, especially in North America, Europe, and Asia. To increase productivity and lessen reliance on manual labor, advanced technologies like vacuum-based pickers and robotic arms guided by vision are being utilized more and more. Furthermore, the need for automation has increased due to the seasonality of apple harvesting and growing labor costs, making apple-picking equipment a market leader.
The Composite Materials segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period
Over the forecast period, the Composite Materials segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate. Composite materials are becoming more and more popular because of their reduced weight, corrosion resistance, and durability. They combine the strength of metals with the lightweight qualities of plastics. These materials ensure precision in harvesting while lowering wear and tear on fruit-picking equipment, increasing its efficiency. Demand for composites is further increased by the growing use of automated and robotic fruit pickers, which provide greater strength and flexibility than conventional metal or plastic components. Moreover, the market's fastest-growing segment is composite-based fruit-picking solutions, which are being driven by innovation due to sustainability trends and the demand for environmentally friendly agricultural tools.
During the forecast period, the North America region is expected to hold the largest market share, driven by the region's high adoption of agricultural automation, labor shortages, and extensive fruit farming industry. A significant contributor is the United States, where extensive berry, citrus, and apple farms necessitate effective harvesting techniques. The need for mechanized and robotic fruit pickers has increased in the area due to rising labor costs and more stringent labor laws. Furthermore, propelling market expansion are developments in AI-powered and vision-guided fruit-picking technologies, which are backed by government programs and agricultural subsidies.
Over the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR, driven by the rapid expansion of fruit cultivation, increasing mechanization, and growing labor shortages in major agricultural economies like China, India, and Japan. The need for sophisticated fruit-picking equipment is increasing as farmers are being forced toward automation by rising wages and a shrinking agricultural workforce. Market expansion is further accelerated by government programs supporting smart farming and technological developments in robotic harvesting systems. Moreover, the strong growth trajectory of the Asia-Pacific fruit picker market is also attributed to the region's growing fruit exports and the requirement for effective harvesting methods to preserve quality and lower post-harvest losses.
Key players in the market
Some of the key players in Fruit Picker market include Agrobot Inc, Nanovel, Advanced Farm Technologies Inc, Dogtooth Technologies Limited, Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, Inc., Red Rooster Inc, Corona Tools Inc, HARVEST CROO Inc, Flexrake Inc, Ohuhu Inc, FFRobotics, Priva Kompano Inc, Octinion Inc and Teejet Technologies.
In September 2024, Nanovel has unveiled an AI-powered autonomous fruit-harvesting robot capable of picking citrus fruit for the fresh market. According to Nanovel, the robot offers a solution to growers dealing with farm labor shortages and rapidly increasing costs.
In June 2024, TeeJet Technologies introduced the FM9380-F75, a brand-new electromagnetic flow meter. According to the company, the flow meter's design contains no moving parts, which means no service or maintenance requirements or risk of clogging. The unit has been optimized for agricultural application equipment and works with any conducting fluid.
In February 2023, Autonomous fruit-picking robot company Advanced Farm Technologies Inc. is adding more barns and manufacturing space to build its equipment. The company started with a third of a barn on agricultural property just south of Davis. It now has the entire original barn, another barn on the same property and another barn and ranch-style home that serves as headquarters and home to engineers.