At the beginning of 2024, I received a WhatsApp message from Carlos (a pseudonym) in Ecuador. He runs a large dragon fruit farm, but sorting had always been a headache. He told me that manual sorting was not only inefficient but also caused damage to the fruit's delicate skin due to improper handling. With export orders increasing, these issues were becoming a serious bottleneck. His first question to me was straightforward: “Can your grading equipment really solve these problems?”
To be honest, the initial communication wasn’t easy. Carlos was very direct—his budget was tight, but his requirements were high. The equipment had to grade the fruit accurately, protect its skin, and be easy to operate and maintain. He even mentioned that local technicians in his area weren’t particularly skilled, so if repairs were complicated, it would be a big problem. These details required careful consideration on our part.
After several rounds of discussions, we designed a custom grading line specifically for his needs. The solution focused on optimizing the sorting module, incorporating flexible conveyor belts and protective designs to ensure the fruit’s skin wasn’t damaged. At the same time, we tailored the configuration to fit his budget by removing some non-essential auxiliary features, while retaining the core systems—elevators, grading modules, and packaging units. This way, we met his requirements while keeping costs under control.
Even with what seemed like the perfect solution, Carlos still had concerns. At one point, he asked me, “If export orders double in the future, will this machine still be enough?” I could tell he was worried about the scalability of the equipment. I explained to him that the line could handle about 6 tons of dragon fruit per day, which was more than sufficient for his current needs. I also assured him that if production expanded in the future, he could simply add more sorting outlets or upgrade certain modules, without needing to replace the entire system. This explanation finally put his mind at ease.
At the end of October, Carlos made the decision to place an order. By early November, the equipment was delivered to Ecuador, and we arranged for our technicians to install and commission the line on-site. During the setup, I video-called Carlos to show him the process. Watching the dragon fruit move smoothly from the elevator to the sorting area and then being precisely graded into different outlets, he smiled and said, “Your equipment is even more efficient than I imagined. This is a big help for me!”
After the installation, he sent me a photo of neatly sorted dragon fruit stacked in the packaging area. The fruit looked great and ready for export. He shared that the graded fruit not only had a better appearance but also fetched higher prices, and the response from the export market had been excellent. What made me even happier was that he mentioned plans to expand his production line next year and said he would definitely choose our equipment again.
This collaboration spanned nearly a year, with plenty of back-and-forth discussions around budget and design. But seeing Carlos’s satisfaction and the results he achieved made all the effort worthwhile. If you’re also looking for an efficient and precise dragon fruit grading line, feel free to contact us. Joyshine is here to provide professional solutions tailored to your needs!