Unitec introduces advanced sorting and grading solutions for dates

GLOBAL – Unitec, a century-old international group, is rolling out its latest sorting and grading technologies to support the global date industry.

These solutions help packing houses deliver consistent quality, reduce waste, and meet growing consumer demand.

The global date market is expanding steadily, driven by rising interest in natural and health-oriented products. Dates are increasingly used both as standalone products and as ingredients in processed foods. Maintaining consistent quality has become a key factor for producers seeking competitive advantage.

Unitec addresses this need through its patented VISION/SORT and UNIQ systems. The DATES SORT 4.0 AI vision system scans the entire surface of each fruit, identifying external defects with high precision.

“Defects are now detected with constant accuracy, greatly limiting false waste while ensuring optimal quality consistency. Among the many operational advantages, the optimization of handling times has certainly been a key factor in our choice of Unitec technologies,” says Ali Ben Bachir, Founder and CEO of Les Délices Majhoul in Morocco.

Meanwhile, the UNIQ system evaluates internal fruit quality without causing damage. This technology identifies organoleptic parameters crucial for determining shelf life and overall fruit quality, giving producers confidence that each batch meets market standards.

Global reach and customer support

Unitec operates through 20 branches in major fruit and vegetable-producing countries and maintains a sales network in over 65 countries. Its approach emphasizes collaboration with clients to create solutions that match specific operational needs.

The Middle East and Africa’s date market was valued at around US$3.45 billion and is projected to reach US$5.12 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 4.8 percent.

North Africa, including Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, along with Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and the UAE, lead production and exports, while East Africa, including Kenya and Sudan, is developing pilot projects.

Unitec’s technologies, by improving sorting accuracy and optimizing handling, aim to help producers access more profitable markets and reduce losses, supporting the growth of the industry in established and emerging regions.

“Our goal is to ensure quality consistency and support our clients’ growth through practical, reliable technologies,” adds a Unitec spokesperson.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.