Criteria for grading fruits and vegetables
How to manage grading in the fruit and vegetable supply chain
Grading is not an optional task but is a key element in the operational and commercial performance of the fruit and vegetable supply chain. When a batch of fruit is sized and graded correctly, it results in greater batch uniformity, reduced waste, better match with distribution requirements, and opportunities for premium market positioning.
In practice, the quality perceived by the final consumer depends directly on how the product has been evaluated and divided up along the chain. In addition, classification allows compliance with European regulations requiring minimum quality standards, facilitating access to domestic and foreign lanes and preventing disputes or rejection of goods.
Main general classification criteria
Caliber and size
Size measurement and fruit weight are basic classification criteria. For example, the minimum diameter, minimum net weight, or defined size ranges allow the commercial class to be determined.
In many industrial plants, calibration is performed by automated systems that measure diameter, weight and volume-this is an essential step in standardizing production.
Color and external appearance
Peel color, color uniformity, brightness, and absence of visible blemishes are very relevant aesthetic criteria. Commercially, a uniformly colored fruit is perceived as more ripe and palatable; conversely, a visual defect may compromise the entire positioning. Increasingly, optical sensors and cameras are being used to automatically measure these parameters.
Maturation and internal quality
The ripeness of the fruit, e.g. verified by sugar content (°Brix), pulp texture or juiciness capacity, profoundly affects the commercial destination. Although these parameters are not always externally visible, modern companies integrate them into control systems to optimize classification. This prevents a fruit that looks perfect on the outside but is too unripe from ending up in an inappropriate value category.
Physical defects, integrity and form
Regular shape, absence of bruises or micro-lesions, proper physiological development-all these factors are used to determine whether a fruit can be classified as first choice or destined for secondary lanes. A deformation or surface lesion can reduce the class of membership and impact the price.
Varietal origin, traceability, and regulatory compliance
Variety, area of production, method of cultivation (e.g., organic or conventional), and lot traceability are not criteria for caliber, color, or weight, but they influence the commercial classification and destination of the product.
By virtue of European regulations defining trade classes such as “Extra,” “Class I,” and “Class II,” these elements become decisive for the fairness and transparency of the supply chain.
Specific methods of classification by supply chain and product
In the context of industrial processing lines, fruit and vegetable grading is managed by methods that integrate various parameters simultaneously, using electronic grading machines, advanced optical sensors, and parametric management software. For varieties such as apples, citrus, kiwis, or tomatoes, machines are adopted that can calibrate weight, diameter, color, and external quality all at once. For example, there is a fruit sizing chart-a guide to selection and grading that illustrates the technical-operational method.
| Criterion | Measured parameter | Impact on commercial use |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber / Size | Diameter mm, weight g | Defines class and unit price |
| Exterior color | Peel tone, uniformity | Influence perception – premium positioning |
| Internal maturation | °Brix, pulp consistency | Ensures proper consumption experience |
| Physical defects and form | Injuries, deformations, dents | Reduces class or mass destination |
| Origin/Variety/Traceability | Area, cultivar, cultivation method | Value-added and regulatory compliance |
European regulations on the classification of fruits and vegetables
The trade classification of fruits and vegetables is precisely regulated by the European Union, which has defined common standards to ensure transparency, traceability and fair competition in the single market. The main reference is Regulation (EU) 2023/2429, which updates and supplements the rules contained in Regulation (EU) No. 1308/2013 on the common organization of agricultural markets.
This legislation stipulates that every fresh fruit and vegetable product must conform to one of three recognized quality classes in Europe:
- Extra Class – Represents the highest level of quality. Products must be perfectly shaped, free of visible defects, with uniform color and size and absolute integrity of the peel. This is the class intended for premium markets and export to countries with more stringent requirements.
- Class I – Includes products of good quality, with slight defects in shape or coloration, provided they do not affect the overall appearance. It is the most common category in large-scale retail and provides a balance between quality and commercial yield.
- Class II – Includes products with more obvious visible defects but still fit for consumption. This is the category mainly intended for the processing industry or for low-priced distribution.
In addition to the quality classes, the regulation governs the minimum size, percentage defect tolerance, and labeling methods. For example, in Extra Class batches, a maximum tolerance of 5 percent of fruit not meeting the full requirements is allowed, while in Class II the tolerance can be as high as 10 percent.
European legislation also encourages the adoption of digital traceability systems and allows for temporary exemptions for local products or ancient varieties to reduce food waste. In this way, the EU promotes a classification that is not only economic, but also sustainable and oriented toward environmental balance.
The numbers on fresh fruit: meaning of PLU codes
A four- or five-digit numerical code appears on the labels of many fruits sold at retail: this is the Price Look-Up (PLU) code, an international standard used by the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) to uniquely identify each type of bulk fruit and vegetable product.
Each PLU code consists of 4 or 5 digits. 4-digit codes (e.g., 4011 for Cavendish banana) indicate a conventionally grown product. Five-digit codes beginning with 9 identify organic products, while those beginning with 8 should theoretically indicate GMO products, but this practice is not universally adopted and is often not used in European distribution.
Contrary to what we often read online, the PLU code is not a legal requirement nor is it a guarantee of quality or food safety. It is a management tool used mainly by retailers to automate checkout, manage prices, and ensure proper product labeling.
| Code format | Meaning | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 digits (e.g. 4011) | Conventional product | Banana Cavendish | Used in most supermarkets |
| 5 digits (starts with 9) | Organic product | 94011 = Organic banana | Standard also adopted by IFPS and GS1 |
| 5 digits (starts with 8) | GMO product (limited use) | 84011 | Not mandatory in EU, rarely used |
Rollvy: artificial intelligence for multispectral classification
Rollvy represents one of the most advanced technologies for automatic fruit grading. It is a multiview system that uses high-resolution cameras and multispectral sensors to analyze each fruit from multiple angles. In this way, it can detect surface defects, color variations and structural imperfections with extreme precision.
At the heart of the system is a machine learning algorithm that compares the acquired data with reference models, classifying fruits in real time according to size, color, shape and degree of ripeness. Rollvy integrates visual analysis and automatic weighing, enabling a continuous, fast and reliable selection flow. Using multispectral technology, it can also detect internal defects that are not visible, such as pressure lesions or the beginning of rotting.
| Parameter | Description | Operational benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Multispectral sensors | Color analysis on 8 light bands (visible + IR) | Detects unseen defects and ripening variations |
| AI Algorithms | Machine learning trained on thousands of images | Automatic classification by category and caliber |
| Speed of analysis | Up to 12 fruits per second per line | Increased productivity and reduced human error |
| Software interface | Intuitive dashboard for parameter calibration | Facilitates real-time line management |
Logika: modular efficiency in electronic calibration
Logika is a modular platform of electronic grading machines designed to handle large volumes of fruit with maximum flexibility. The system combines dynamic weighing, optical detection and automatic unloading, ensuring operational continuity even in high-capacity plants. Each Logika machine can be configured with central discharge or side discharge, depending on the customer’s logistical needs.
Logika grading machines are equipped with precision sensors with an error of less than 2 grams and integrated software for batch management. The system records data on each fruit and links it to batch traceability, enabling statistical analysis and production reports. It is a technology designed to reduce downtime and optimize processing cycles while maintaining high standards of product quality and uniformity.
| Features | Technical description | Benefit to the supply chain |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic weighing | High-sensitivity load cells | Gauge uniformity and tolerance reduction |
| Modular discharge | Configurable in single or multiple output | Adaptability to plants of different capacities |
| Batch management software | Touch interface and integrated tracking | Real-time quality monitoring and control |
Rolvy and Logika compared
| Parameter | Rolvy | Logika |
|---|---|---|
| Type of classification | Multispectral and visual with AI | Mechanical-electronic with dynamic weighing |
| Applications | Visual quality analysis and surface defects | Calibration by weight, size and shape |
| Operating speed | Up to 12 fruits/second | Up to 20 t/h |
| Focus | Optical precision and artificial intelligence | Production efficiency and line flexibility |
Toward smart and sustainable classification
Fruit and vegetable grading is no longer just a matter of aesthetics or weight: it is where technology, sustainability and the market meet. The use of advanced systems such as Rolvy and Logika represents the new frontier of the fruit and vegetable supply chain 4.0, where each fruit is tracked, analyzed and enhanced in compliance with regulations and consumer needs.
In the near future, the integration of IoT platforms and artificial intelligence will enable even more accurate classification, reducing waste and improving profitability. The challenge for companies in the industry will not only be to meet European standards, but to anticipate them: building a sustainable, smart and interconnected production model.