In this episode, we chat with Elad Mardix, CEO and cofounder of Clarifruit, based in Israel, about his partnership with Dole in rolling out what he says is the world’s first artificial intelligence-powered quality control software solution.
Watch the video of this interview here.
In early 2021, Dole concluded a pilot project with Clarifruit for its pineapple exports from the Philippines to six markets. Clarifruit's new quality-control software and computer-vision technology is used to automate fresh produce quality inspection and evaluation and analyzes factors such as size, color, stem color or any visible defects.
The goal includes the ability for U.S. companies to download the Clarifruit software on mobile devices as well as desktop computers, and to connect with and integrate that company packinghouse’s existing quality-control sorting technology. Also, imported fruit can be evaluated by the U.S. buyer while it’s in the grower’s country using set standards and specifications, without the subjectivity of human error.
Mardix said that so far, this project has more than doubled productivity and reduced error-prone quality control reports. The two companies are now in the process of scaling this technology to more markets, including the U.S., and more fruit categories beyond pineapples.
It could change the way we do quality control for imports and exports, at the retail and wholesale levels.
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The association with Clarifruit was kickstarted when Dole started its Dole Sunshine For All Fund, announced in early 2021, which seeks to partner with innovative startups to accelerate its adoption of innovation and technology. The partnership will bring Dole closer to its commitment of achieving zero fruit loss by 2025.
