Robots transform Scotland’s berry harvest

By incorporating robotics into the growing process, the business said it is ensuring top-quality fruit reaches consumers while championing sustainable farming.

This commitment to rethinking modern farming was recently recognised on the national stage when Angus Soft Fruits won the Business Innovation Award at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2025.

A key part of this innovation is its work with robotics. For the past two years, its grower cooperative, Angus Growers, has partnered with Saga Robotics to deploy Thorvald robots across local farms.

When the sun goes down, these robots deliver targeted ultraviolet-C (UVC) light treatment to the berry plants. The UVC light disrupts the DNA of powdery mildew spores, effectively controlling the disease without the use of traditional fungicides, the Angus Soft Fruits team explained.

This summer, with Scotland experiencing unusually hot and dry weather followed by humid conditions, growers faced increased pressure from powdery mildew – a fungal disease that thrives in warm, damp environments.

The robots provided an effective, sustainable solution, helping to protect fruit quality and boost yields.

Angela Porchez, general manager at Angus Growers, said: “Scotland’s climate is always a challenge for growers, and this year the hot, dry days followed by humidity meant mildew became a serious threat.

“By using robots to deliver UV treatment, we’ve been able to manage this without relying solely on chemicals. It not only protects crop quality, but it also helps reduce input costs and supports our long-term sustainability goals. Importantly, the technology has also improved plant health and yields, which is vital for grower returns in such a competitive marketplace.”

The partnership with Saga Robotics is a multi-year commitment and part of a wider push by Angus Soft Fruits and its growers to integrate innovative solutions across production.

The cooperative is also exploring new technology for smaller tunnel systems and trialling drones for a suite of applications, including precision pollination to improve yields, logistics, and cleaning polytunnels to maximise vital light levels.

This sits alongside long-standing work on carbon audits, renewable energy, and developing 100% recyclable packaging, according to the company.

Ms Porchez added: “Robotics, drones, and data are all becoming part of how we think about the future of berry production. We see these technologies not as replacements for people, but as tools that can help us farm more sustainably, improve forecasting, and tackle challenges that are only going to increase with climate change.”

Amanda Brown, programme director of Scotland Food & Drink said: “Scottish Food & Drink September is all about shining a light on the creativity and ingenuity that define our industry. With our sector valued at £15 billion and supporting 120,000 jobs across the country, its future success depends on meeting challenges like climate change head-on.

“That’s why Angus Soft Fruits is such a fantastic example. They show how innovation in practice – from robotics to drones – can help secure the future of one of Scotland’s most important and iconic sectors. It’s exactly how technology and tradition can come together to not only keep our food and drink world-class but also ensure that it’s sustainable and resilient for generations to come.”

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