From drones to AI harvesters: Australian pineapple industry showcases the future of farming
Artificial intelligence, drones, elite pineapple genetics, and sustainable farming practices will take centre stage when Australia's pineapple industry gathers for the 2026 Pineapple Field Days in Hervey Bay from 30 – 31 July.
Hosted by Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG), the annual event brings together growers, researchers, and industry partners to showcase the research, technology, and on-farm innovation helping secure the future of Australia's fresh pineapple industry.
This year's program demonstrates how growers are combining practical experience with research and development to improve fruit quality, increase productivity, reduce environmental impacts, and prepare for the challenges facing modern agriculture.
Among the highlights is Fraser Coast grower Jeff Atkinson's pioneering "pick and leave" harvesting technology, which combines machinery innovation with camera technology to identify when individual pineapples have reached optimum sweetness before harvest.
Rather than harvesting an entire crop at once, the system aims to selectively pick only fruit ready for market, leaving the remaining fruit to continue maturing. The technology has the potential to improve fruit quality, deliver a better eating experience for consumers and make harvesting safer and more efficient.
The Field Days will also feature drone technology demonstrations, showcasing how aerial systems are helping growers monitor crops, improve decision-making, and strengthen farm security.
Research will also be on display, with Queensland Department of Primary Industries researchers presenting the latest results from the industry's long-running 73-50 clonal selection program.
The work has identified promising pineapple clones with improved consistency and a significantly lower incidence of natural flowering - a trait that can reduce crop losses and improve production reliability. Researchers will also provide an update on Australia's pineapple breeding and evaluation program, supporting the development of future varieties for the fresh market.
The program also highlights the industry's growing focus on environmental sustainability.
Growers will demonstrate practical soil and water management initiatives through the Hort360 Great Barrier Reef Best Management Practice Project, including the use of zero-till planting equipment and sediment retention ponds designed to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and help protect local waterways.
The 2026 Pineapple Field Days showcase how collaboration between growers, researchers, and industry is delivering practical solutions that strengthen the profitability, sustainability, and resilience of Australian pineapple production.
The 2026 Pineapple Field Days is delivered by the Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) on behalf of the Australian Pineapple Industry.
This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the pineapple industry research and development levies and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.
