At Van Wijk Fruit, growing, storage, grading and packing of top fruit come together. In 2026, the company took another step forward with the construction of a new grading machine. With support from The Greenery and SIG&F, Van Wijk is investing in a more efficient grading process that combines quality, flexibility and long-term resilience. Van Wijk Fruit grows several varieties of apples and pears. Grading is an important link between the orchard and the end customer.

Investing with growers and markets in mind

Requirements for top fruit are becoming increasingly specific. Customers expect consistent quality, uniform grading and flexibility in size, weight and packaging. At the same time, labour, processing capacity and cost efficiency are becoming increasingly important for growers and packhouses. This is why Van Wijk Fruit invested in a new grading machine in 2026. The company worked with The Greenery to develop the project. Support through SIG&F helped make this investment in further professionalisation and innovation possible. The collaboration shows how investments at the grower’s business can be aligned with market needs.

More precise quality grading

With top fruit, variety alone does not determine the final quality on the shelf. Precise grading is also essential. Apples and pears need to be directed into the appropriate product streams according to criteria including size, weight, colour and quality. The new grading machine enables Van Wijk Fruit to further professionalise this process. The fruit can be assessed precisely and sorted according to the required specifications.

This helps meet the differing requirements of customers and sales channels.

Working more efficiently

Alongside quality improvements, efficiency is an important driver of the investment. Grading top fruit requires considerable care and labour, particularly during busy periods in the season.

The new grading machine helps Van Wijk automate parts of the grading process. It uses AI to assess and inspect the fruit. The system helps identify and classify differences in quality, allowing apples and pears to be graded more precisely to the required specifications.

This enables more efficient fruit processing and allows employees to focus more on quality control, packing and process monitoring. Human expertise remains important: the technology supports assessment, but it also needs to be configured and used correctly.

Van Wijk Fruit therefore also receives training in the use of the new systems. Employees learn how to make better use of the AI features, assess results and adjust settings for different batches and customer requirements. The investment is therefore not just about new technology, but also about further developing expertise within the business.

The investment also gives Van Wijk Fruit greater flexibility to process different batches of apples and pears according to the required specifications.

Bringing growing, storage and grading together

The investment is not a standalone development. Van Wijk Fruit brings together several stages of the top fruit supply chain. The fruit is grown, stored, graded and packed before making its way to market.

The new grading machine further strengthens that chain. Fruit coming out of storage can be graded specifically to meet market demand.

This allows stock, product quality and customer demand to be aligned more closely.

Getting more value from every apple and pear

Not every apple or pear is suited to the same use or market segment. By carefully assessing and grading the fruit, the right destination can be found for different qualities and sizes.

This helps make the best possible use of the harvest and match product quality more closely to customer specifications. Within this partnership, The Greenery contributes customer knowledge, market insight and sales expertise. Van Wijk Fruit handles growing, storage and processing.

Investing together in future-proof top fruit

The new grading machine at Van Wijk Fruit shows that innovation in top fruit extends beyond the orchard. Technology, efficiency and quality control are also important after harvest in building a future-proof supply chain.

Van Wijk Fruit invests in the technology and manages day-to-day operations. The Greenery provides support through its market and sales expertise and through SIG&F. In this way, an investment in grading technology becomes part of a wider ambition: processing Dutch apples and pears efficiently, aligning them more closely with the market and working together towards a future-proof top fruit supply chain.