Berryway and Optisort by Maf Roda
When automation supports blueberry and asparagus growers
At the IAD-IBD trade fair held last month in the Bordeaux region, the Maf-Roda Group – platinum sponsor of the event – presented its sorting and grading solutions for red fruit and asparagus. The two installations did not go unnoticed.
Berryway and Berryscan: Cutting-edge technology for high-precision sorting while respecting the fruit
The Berryway grading machine attracted the attention of visitors, as it offers a complete solution for post-harvest blueberries, combining delicate handling with high-precision sorting. “The Berryway is designed to handle blueberries with the utmost delicacy. Each line takes care of the berries to limit shocks and guarantee the integrity of the fruit,” explains Fabrice Blanc, managing director of Maf Roda. Modular from two to eighteen lines, processing 160 to 200 kg of blueberries/hour/line at an average weight of 2g per fruit, Berryscan is equally suited to small-scale producers and industrial structures.
The Berryscan module enhances this performance with particularly accurate multispectral optical sorting. Taking 360° photos of each berry, it analyzes color, shape, and external quality, while detecting defects such as soft, dehydrated, or damaged fruit. “Thanks to Insight technology, we can measure sugar levels to guarantee a consistent, tasty product,” explains Fabrice Blanc. Based on artificial intelligence, the software makes it possible to fine-tune the sorting criteria (shape, firmness, size, Brix) and automate the entire process right through to packaging.
Already widely deployed internationally – from the United States to South Africa, via Eastern Europe – the solution is now attracting considerable interest in France. “Demand for high-performance, automated sorting lines is growing strongly,” observes Fabrice Blanc. By reducing dependence on manual sorting while maximizing final quality, Berryway and Berryscan are positioning themselves as essential tools for growers looking to improve precision, productivity, and added value.
An asparagus grading machine for high-precision associativity
Since acquiring the German company Strauss, Maf-Roda has also been offering a complete range of solutions for asparagus, from harvesting to packaging, including grading and weighing. At the IAD-IBD trade fair, it was the grading machine for white and green asparagus that was presented. “In this sector too, we can offer turnkey solutions that can be adapted to any type of structure,” explains Fabrice Blanc.
These solutions are all the more appreciated in this particularly labor-intensive sector, since no human intervention is required, apart from receiving the packaged product. “We were the first to automate bundling. Our grading machine enables us to achieve high associativity accuracy, to +/- 4g on the bundle. The capacity of our machines ranges from 800kg/1.2T to 2T/h.” Another special feature of the Strauss-Maf-Roda grading machines is their high-pressure washing system. This is a definite advantage for products that come straight out of the ground, such as asparagus, which is contaminated by the sand that slips into its scales.
The asparagus grading machine presented at the show can also be adapted to leeks, zucchinis, and rhubarb.
For more information:
Christophe Nivet
Maf-Roda
Phone: +33 5 63 63 27 70 Publication date: Wed 26 Nov 2025
