Dried Fruits Education and Training
Grow a great business in raisins and other dried fruits
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.
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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
- 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.
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