Westfalia pioneers breakthrough in forecasting avocado yield with satellites and machine learning

GLOBAL – A collaboration between Westfalia Fruit’s research team and the University of New England (AU) has led to a major step forward in forecasting avocado yields.

By using satellite technology and machine learning, researchers can now predict harvests more accurately at different scales, from individual orchard blocks to entire farms and regions.

This project involved testing a machine-learning-based time series model, which has been developed over the past decade. Individual models were created for 629 orchard blocks across 21 farms in five countries.

The farms varied in tree age, management practices, and growing environments, covering 12 different avocado varieties. The accuracy of these models was assessed by comparing them with actual harvested yield data from the 2024 season.

Predicting avocado yields is essential for planning labour, storage, transportation, and customer supply. Existing commercial forecasting methods are time-consuming, require significant manual effort, and often provide late estimates that can be off by more than 30%.

The introduction of this advanced forecasting model addresses these challenges by improving accuracy and efficiency.

“With these new insights, outcomes will be more accurate,” stated the research team at Westfalia Fruit. This improvement means farmers and industry stakeholders can make better-informed decisions, ultimately reducing waste and enhancing supply chain efficiency.

Sustainable innovation from avocado byproducts

Westfalia Fruit has also introduced a method to extract natural dye from avocado stones, working in partnership with Efficiency Technologies and SAGES London.

The process isolates perseorangin, a rare pigment found in avocado stones, to create natural dyes in eight different shades, ranging from light yellow to reddish-brown. This advancement offers new possibilities for sustainable colouring solutions across various industries.

“This breakthrough represents a significant step in our journey towards our total crop use strategy,” said Andrew Mitchell, Head of Group Innovation at Westfalia Fruit.

“By transforming what was once considered a byproduct into a valuable resource, we’re creating sustainable solutions that benefit multiple industries.”

Beyond dye extraction, additional materials from avocado skins and stones are being repurposed for other uses. Starches from the process are directed towards paper production, while ground materials are used in cosmetics as natural exfoliants, reducing reliance on synthetic microplastics.

The natural dye extraction process aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainable alternatives, with applications in fashion, beauty, and packaging.

The potential of this process extends beyond the UK, with plans to expand to Westfalia Fruit’s European and global facilities. By integrating these methods into more production sites, the company aims to maximise the impact of its sustainability efforts.

Global expansion and recognition

Meanwhile, Westfalia Fruit’s commitment to sustainability has also been recognised through its partnership with the Pro Tiltil Alliance in Chile.

This collaboration has earned a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) award under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The alliance, which includes nine companies, has been working since 2006 to address environmental and socioeconomic challenges in the underdeveloped Tiltil region.

“This award reaffirms the strength of partnerships and the impact we can achieve by working together for a common goal,” said Isabel Moreno, Corporate Affairs Deputy Manager at Westfalia Fruit Chile.

“Through Pro Tiltil, we’ve shown how corporate collaboration drives meaningful change in communities that need it most. This recognition validates our commitment to sustainable development.”

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.