Dehydration is a process by which shelf life of the fruits can be extended by evaporating water while preserving the taste. Dehydrated products can be used during off season and the fresh produce of far off places can be saved from decomposition due to severe weather conditions and inefficient transport facilities. It is one of the oldest methods of preserving fruit is removes moisture stops the growth of bacteria, yeasts & molds that normally spoil fruit.
The Indian dried fruits industry size is currently pegged at Rs 15,000 crore (4, 50,000 tons approx.). By 2020, this is likely to reach almost a million tonnes in volume, leading to an industry size exceeding Rs 30,000 crore. As a whole any entrepreneur can venture in this project without risk and earn profit.
Few Indian major players are as under
· EstelAgrotech Ltd.
· Freshtrop Fruits Ltd.
· Infragro Industries Ltd.
· Konkan Mango Processing (Ratnagiri) Pvt. Ltd.
· Peninsular Agro Pvt. Ltd.
· Ready Foods Ltd.