“We don’t carry a lot of inventory – what we’re picking today is going to the packhouse tomorrow.”
That line from Randy Stucky, Director of Harvesting and Grower Relations at Bee Sweet Citrus, says it all. In an operation where real-time matters, the right data makes all the difference.
Located in California’s fertile Central Valley, Bee Sweet Citrus has been a family-run, vertically integrated citrus operation for over 30 years. From growing to packing to sales, they manage the full value chain – with a strong focus on freshness, efficiency, and quality.
To achieve that, they’ve partnered with Aerobotics, using drone-derived data and fruit sizing tools to streamline decision-making and maximise returns.
“As a modern farmer, you can’t afford not to use technology. Every little advantage helps.”
– Randy Stucky, Bee Sweet Citrus
🍊 A Citrus Powerhouse
Bee Sweet produces and markets a full range of citrus, including:
Mandarins (including seedless and specialty varieties)
Navel and Valencia oranges
Lemons
Grapefruit
Cara Cara oranges
Minneola tangelo’s
Pummelo’s and other specialties
Their success rests on managing quality and supply across these products – and that’s where Aerobotics’ technology plays a key role.
Tech in the Field: How Aerobotics Supports Bee Sweet Citrus
From the moment fruit begins to mature, Bee Sweet’s field teams are already planning. Using Aerobotics’ TrueFruit™ platform and size distribution data, they can forecast what’s coming out of each orchard block – not in vague terms, but in real numbers.
Here’s how they use the tools to bridge the gap between orchard and packhouse:
Real-time fruit sizing: Scan citrus in the field and get immediate feedback on size distribution. No waiting. No guesswork.
Dynamic harvest planning: Match orchard data with sales and packhouse timelines. Bee Sweet doesn’t stockpile fruit – the data helps them move fast.
Better sales coordination: Know which sizes are trending, which are harder to sell, and adjust picking priorities accordingly.
Ease of use: Tools like TrueFruit are designed for field teams – even someone new can use them within minutes.
Collaborative development: Bee Sweet provided feedback directly to the Aerobotics team, helping refine features that paid off in later seasons.
“We’re their eyes out in the field – the more accurate the data we give the packhouse, the better they can plan.”
From Insight to Action
In an industry where timing is everything, Bee Sweet Citrus shows what’s possible when traditional farming knowledge is backed by precision tools.
Aerobotics hasn’t just delivered a product – they’ve co-created a solution that supports every step of the Bee Sweet harvest cycle.
It’s not about replacing people. It’s about empowering them to make sharper decisions, faster.
🔍 Learn More
🎥 Watch the Bee Sweet Citrus video below and see how data is shaping their decisions in real time:
Summary: Key Benefits of Aerobotics for Bee Sweet Citrus
Real-time fruit sizing in the field
mproved packhouse coordination with predictive data
Early insights into hard-to-sell size distributions
Direct feedback loop between Bee Sweet and Aerobotics
Intuitive tools built for field staff
Higher efficiency with lower waste across the value chain
Want to learn how your citrus operation can benefit from drone-derived insights?
Explore Aerobotics’ citrus solutions at aerobotics.com