In March, US-headquartered firm Agrovision delivered its first premium berry harvest under the Chinese label Meiyili (美益粒).
The premium blueberries, grown locally in Yunnan in nine months, sold out within 24 hours of hitting the market, underscoring China’s growing appetite for blueberries.
“The rising demand for blueberries in China can be tied to increasing health consciousness and a preference for nutrient-dense, fresh snacks. In fact, over the past five years, the demand for blueberries in China has grown at an annual rate of approximately 40%,” said an Agrovision spokesperson.
“By growing blueberries locally in regions like Yunnan, we ensure a steady supply, combining local harvests with imports to keep quality high and make blueberries easier to access.”
The company does not genetically enhance berries but selects the varietals that it believes will thrive in specific environments. This ensures consistency across all its growing regions for superior berries year-round.
“Our varietals are carefully selected to thrive in their specific growing environments. In Yunnan, we focus on varietals that do well in the microclimate of warm days and cool nights. This approach ensures consistent quality, flavour, and yield across different regions,” said the spokesperson.
The company analyses factors such as temperature patterns, soil composition, altitude, and water quality. Furthermore, its selection process is aided by artificial intelligence and machine learning.
“By combining climate-adapted crops with predictive analytics and data-driven farming practices, we create the consistent premium fruit experience our consumers love, across all our growing regions.
“AI and machine learning play a role in optimising our farming practices, from varietal selection to post-harvest quality assurance. By using predictive analytics, we ensure that our crops thrive in their specific growing environments, allowing us to deliver consistent, high-quality superfruit across multiple regions,” said the spokesperson.
According to the spokesperson, it collects precise data straight from the berries in the ground.
“Our berry-level data collection fuels predictive analytics which drive decision making across our value chain, ensuring we deliver berries of the highest quality, consistently year-round.”
By leveraging AI and machine learning, Agrovision has significantly improved its quality assurance processes, while advanced and proprietary post-harvest solutions extend shelf life.
“This keeps our fruit fresher for longer, reduces food waste, and meets the growing demand for sustainable snacks that stay fresh in the fridge.
“Like any growing region, Yunnan has unique climate conditions, and we’re always optimising our practices to ensure the best possible fruit quality. We continuously evaluate and refine our approach—whether it’s varietal selection or harvesting techniques—to adapt to the region and consistently deliver premium blueberries.”
The spokesperson highlighted the company’s enthusiasm for advancements that will improve AI-driven analytics.
“We are particularly excited about near-term technology advancements in computer vision and automation which unlocks a step-change in AI-driven analytics. What’s most important is that with all of our technology we focus on the mission of delivering the same superior taste and freshness with every pack of Fruitist berries as we grow.”
