As more and more Americans seek healthful diets, dried fruits become increasingly popular, offering good business opportunities for those with dried fruits education and training. While raisins make up the bulk of the dried fruit business in the United States, plums, cherries, cranberries and other mixed dried fruit also have a place in the American diet. But it takes more than a passion for the business to succeed among dried fruit companies.
There are several good ways to keep up to date on the latest in traditional and organic dried fruit. To be the most competitive, use each of these resources to grow your dried fruit business:
1. Participate in organizations for dried fruit producers.
2. Read trade publications for those growing fruit and processing dried fruit products.
3. Attend seminars for those selling wholesale dried fruits.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join organizations for those producing and selling bulk dried fruit

Among the many food and fruit associations found in the United States, there are a few focusing on dried fruits. Whether you wish to operate a dried fruit farm or process bulk dried fruit, joining such groups allows for ongoing education and access to the latest information about the newest methods in the industry.

I recommend: The International Nut and Dried Fruit Foundation offers annual statistics, marketing information, symposiums and more for those in the dried fruits industry. For those directly involved in the making of raisins, the Raisin Administrative Committee of California offers a wealth of trade information.

Study publications for the fresh and dried fruit business

There are several periodicals suitable for professionals in the dried fruit business. Find publications targeting your field of interest in order to keep up with the latest news, trends and innovations.

I recommend: Good Fruit Grower magazine has been helping fruit growers for over 60 years, and while dried fruits are only one aspect of this publication, it's still sure to be a strong aid for your dried fruit company. The Raisin Bargaining Association newsletter offers essential information about raisin sales.

Attend seminars for those who grow, process and buy dried fruit

A seminar is an excellent place to learn new facets of the business, to network and to find business partners. Most trade organizations offer seminars of some sort.

I recommend: The California Raisins Marketing Board keeps an updated list of seminars and other evens for those in the raisin trade. BizTradeShows.com keeps a tally of agriculture trade shows and seminars, including those for dried fruit.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Raisin production is expected to increase by 100,000 tons in 2009. In the United States alone, production of raisin dried fruit products is expected to increase by 3%, making this a lucrative part of the dried fruit business.

Dried fruit companies offer consumers a product that is unique in that the fruit needs no refrigeration, yet is full of flavor and rich in vitamins. Manufactures draw the water out of the fruit, either by machine or natural measures The process extends the shelf life of a fruit dramatically and creates a more intense flavor.

Consumers buy dehydrated fruit for a myriad of reasons. Mixed dried fruit provides a stand-alone snack. Others use it to make a fruit cocktail or add some zing to their cooking. The dried fruit business is very lucrative and many consumers enjoy the international aspects of it; a person in the USA can acquire dried fruit from exotic locales.

When your business adds dried fruit to its product line, there are several key points to consider:

1. Compare dried fruit prices on the market, including shipping costs.

2. Buy dehydrated fruit from wholesale distributors.

3. Visit the dried fruit farm you intend to purchase fruit from, or at least research it to ensure the highest quality goods for your consumers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase wholesale dried fruit for mixed dried fruit products

Create dried fruit mixes for your customers with a combination of unique dried fruit. Mix banana chips with currants and raisins. Or purchase a ready-made mix of prunes, peaches, pears, apples and apricots.

I recommend: From simple dried raisins to ready-made mix, NOTONLYCOFFEE.COM has something for everybody. Shoreline Fruit LLC offers dried fruits certified by Star-K as Kosher Certified for year round use. All their fruit comes from the Great Lakes and New England area.

Consider dried fruit producers with exotic flair

When ordering dried fruits, it's important to realize customers different needs. Businesses on a quest for culinary perfection are more apt to purchase 'cut fruits' such as dried apricots, peaches nectarines, plums, cherries and pears.

I recommend: Zoria Farms in California is a leading producer of "cut fruits." For a unique culinary experience, consider purchasing dried fruit ranging from Kiwi to Goji Berries from NutsOnline.

Find organic dried fruit companies who specialize in organic products

Customers appreciate the option of purchasing organic ingredients for their consumption. The USDA oversees the certification for organic growers in the US. Provide your customers information on the manufacturer and their packaging process to increase repeat sales.

I recommend: Tierra Farm, a USDA certified grower, offers free shipping on orders over $100. Earthbound Farm's goal is to be socially and environmentally responsible. The company packs its dried fruit without preservatives.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Learn about the growing process of the fruit you are planning to purchase. Ensure the grower allowed it to ripen fully on the vine and tree before they picked, dehydrated and packed it.

Fruit dehydration, or "drying," is a means of preserving fruit and works even in the absence of refrigeration. Dehydration extends the shelf life of the fruit, and you can do it naturally or through the use of a machine. Dried fruit can provide an excellent alternative when fresh fruit is unavailable, as the fruit retains the vitamin and mineral content through the drying process. Many prefer dried fruit to fresh fruit because of its stronger flavor, convenience and long shelf life.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Dehydration

Dehydration is the act of drying food. It is easy to do and is one of the oldest methods of food preservation. During dehydration, water or moisture is removed from the food product. This can be done naturally or by the use of a dehydration machine. Dehydration creates a smaller and lighter food product, making these foods ideal for such activities as backpacking, hiking and camping.

I recommend: Visit Virginia Cooperative Extension, a division of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, for an in-depth explanation of the dehydration process.

Freeze-drying

Freeze-drying is becoming an increasingly popular method of preserving some foods. In freeze-drying, food is dehydrated by means of a vacuum process.

I recommend: Visit Freeze-Dry Foods for an explanation of the freeze-drying process and its benefits.

Sun-drying

Sun-drying is a natural method of dehydrating fruits. The recommended temperature for sun drying is 85°F by noon, with less than 60 percent humidity. Sun-drying should not be done on cloudy or humid days. Foods that undergo the sun-drying method must be pasteurized.

I recommend: The National Center for Home Food Preservation offers information on sun-drying fruit.

Blanching and dipping

Most foods that are dried undergo some type of pre-treatment, such as blanching or dipping. To blanch foods, you briefly precook the food in boiling water or steam. This procedure stops enzymatic reactions within the food, decreases the drying time and destroys many spoilage organisms. Dipping fruits in an acidic fruit juice or an ascorbic acid solution will prevent them from turning brown.

I recommend: Learn more about blanching and dipping at KountryLife.com.

Pasteurization

As a health precaution, it is important to pasteurize sun-dried fruits to destroy any insects and their eggs. Heat pasteurization entails placing dried food evenly in shallow trays and heating at 160°F for about 30 minutes. Cold pasteurization entails freezing the food at 0°F for 48 hours.

I recommend: Read about pasteurization at the Canning Pantry.

Food dehydrator

A food dehydrator is a machine used to dehydrate foods and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can purchase an electric or solar dehydrator. Some people even construct their own.

I recommend: Learn how a food dehydrator works and even how to construct one at KidsGardening.com.