Growing success: expert insights & practical know-how

Growing success: expert insights & practical know-how

Machine harvest: preparing for a new era in Poland

This May, Fall Creek®’s Grower Support Representative, Arkadiusz Bajak, joined Marcel Belen and Leon Driessen from FineField to visit several leading blueberry growers across Poland. Their goal was to explore the role that machine harvesting might play in the future of blueberry farming across Poland and Central Europe.

Across the region, growers face rising labour costs, seasonal labour shortages and unpredictable weather events such as severe late frosts. Unsurprisingly, the dominant theme during these visits was the cost of production, with harvesting representing one of the highest expenses.

Could mechanised harvesting offer a solution?

The answer is encouraging. With the latest generation of harvesters now in use across parts of Europe, machine-picking fruit for the fresh market is not only possible but proving successful, provided several key factors are taken into account.

Field readiness is key

Efficient machine harvesting starts with field preparation. The better the setup, the greater the harvest efficiency and the lower the potential for loss or damage. A well-prepared field reduces:

• Fruit dropped to the ground
• Missed ripe berries
• Bruising
• Damage to plants

Raised beds that bring the fruiting zone closer to the crown help minimise loss, while careful planning of row spacing, including turning areas and breaks every 300m, ensures smooth operation of the machinery.

Optimising plant architecture

To support machine harvesting, an ideal planting configuration includes in-row spacing of 75 to 80 cm, with 2.5 m to 3 m between rows. This setup allows for approximately 4,400 plants per hectare. Once established, these can yield around 8,800 kg per hectare, assuming an average of 2kgs per plant from year two onward.

Varietal selection is equally important. Firm-fruited varieties are essential to minimise bruising during harvest and handling, while those with concentrated ripening periods help maximise efficiency.

From the Fall Creek® portfolio, varieties such as ArabellaBlue, LoretoBlue and LunaBlue show strong potential for fresh-market machine harvesting. These cultivars are already in the ground in Poland and could soon be among the first in the country to be harvested mechanically.

Spotlight on FC11-164

Looking ahead, Fall Creek is currently conducting commercial trials of FC11-164, a promising selection designed with machine harvesting in mind. Introduced to trusted growers in Europe, the US and Chile in spring 2024, FC11-164 offers firm, flavourful fruit with a crisp bite and highly concentrated ripening, making it well-suited to one or two harvest passes.

Findings from these trials will be evaluated through 2026 and 2027, with a view to potential commercial release. It’s a step towards making high-efficiency harvesting accessible without compromising fruit quality.

As labour dynamics evolve and operational pressures mount, Polish growers are already thinking ahead. Mechanised harvesting isn’t just a possibility, it’s an increasingly practical path forward. With the proper planning, varieties and support, growers can be ready for a future where efficiency and quality go hand in hand.