Continuous Belt Dryer in Hungary

Background: From Small-Batch Drying to Continuous Production

The customer is a third-generation family business based near Debrecen. They grow and process fresh spinach, diced carrots, and apples for domestic and EU buyers. Until recently, they relied on small batch tray dryers, which were energy-intensive and time-consuming to load and unload by hand. During peak harvest weeks, the bottleneck was obvious — fresh produce piled up, waiting for its turn to dry.

To scale up their operations and move toward more profitable dehydrated vegetable and fruit slices, they needed a more efficient drying solution. Rather than buying a complete new line, they chose to purchase a single continuous belt dryer that could plug into their existing washing, cutting, and packaging equipment.

Why the DHG-1000 Continuous Belt Dryer Was Right for Hungary’s Needs

After comparing different belt drying systems, the Hungarian family chose the RICHI DHG-1000 continuous belt dryer for several reasons: its gentle, even drying, manageable footprint, and proven energy efficiency — crucial in Hungary where energy costs have risen significantly in recent years.

Key specs for their setup:

• Model: DHG-1000
• Heating Type: Electric heating (they have access to favorable green electricity rates)
• Power: 70 kW + 2.2 kW × 3 + 1.5 kW
• Number of Belt Layers: 5
• Belt Width: 1.2 meters
• Drying Area: 43 m²

Local Raw Materials: Spinach, Diced Carrots, Apple Slices

In Hungary, vegetable and fruit drying is growing fast. This processor focuses on three main raw materials:

• Spinach: Fresh-picked leaves washed, blanched, and fed onto the belt dryer.
• Diced Carrots: Peeled, diced to 5–10 mm cubes, partially blanched, and dried for soups and ready-meal packs.
• Apple Slices: Sliced apples are dried to produce natural apple chips — a popular healthy snack that’s seeing increased demand from export buyers.

Before upgrading to the RICHI continuous belt dryer, the company struggled to dry more than 800 kg of fresh product per day. Seasonal humidity in Hungary made drying times unpredictable — one batch might take 6 hours, another might drag out to 12, with uneven drying that often ruined entire batches.

How the Continuous Belt Dryer Transformed Their Output

Switching to the DHG-1000 continuous belt dryer changed the game overnight. The new system runs steadily for 16–20 hours per day during peak harvest, with far less manual loading than the old trays.

Here's what changed for them:

• Even Drying Quality: The five-layer continuous conveyor ensures air flow and temperature are consistent from top to bottom. Spinach leaves no longer get scorched on the edges or clump together in the middle.
• Time Savings: Workers no longer handle countless trays — they simply feed washed product onto the infeed belt. Finished dried flakes and slices come out at the discharge end, ready for packing.
• Stable Moisture Control: They can now bring spinach and carrot moisture down from around 85% to less than 5% final moisture, matching buyer specs for shelf-stable dehydrated veggies.
• Energy Efficiency: Hungary's energy prices can be volatile, but the electric heating system works well with their rooftop solar and the local green grid tariff, helping them keep running costs under control.

Practical Use: Flexible Enough for Mixed Products

Hungary's growing season is diverse, so the processor wanted equipment that could handle multiple product types. With the DHG-1000 continuous belt dryer in Hungary, switching between spinach, carrots, and apples is easy — just adjust belt speed, temperature, and airflow.

During autumn, when apple harvest peaks, the processor runs mixed loads: diced carrots in the morning and apple slices in the afternoon shift. They only need about 40–50 minutes to clear the belt, sanitize, and switch products — an enormous time saver compared to cleaning trays one by one.

Why Only a Single Dryer?

Some might wonder why they didn't invest in an entire new drying line or a larger processing plant. But for this Hungarian cooperative, upgrading gradually is a safer bet. The old pre-treatment equipment — washers, cutters, and sorters — still work well. The only real bottleneck was drying capacity.

By solving this first with a single continuous belt dryer, they protect cash flow while boosting production immediately. This phased investment approach also makes it easier to train staff and adapt operations step by step.

Export Advantage: Meeting EU Food Standards

Hungary exports a significant share of its processed vegetables and fruits to Western Europe. These buyers demand strict product safety and consistent quality. The RICHI continuous belt dryer in Hungary lets the company guarantee low residual moisture, stable product color, and no mold — essential for gaining repeat orders.

In fact, since installing the DHG-1000 continuous belt dryer in Hungary, they've signed their first annual contract to supply Hungarian-dried spinach flakes to a German soup brand. That contract alone covers half the cost of the new equipment within a year.

Local Impact: Supporting Hungarian Farming Communities

Investing in a modern continuous belt dryer doesn't just benefit this processor. Local farms gain a reliable buyer for excess or second-grade produce that supermarkets won't take fresh but is perfect for drying. It also helps reduce food waste — a big issue that Hungary is tackling through EU sustainability targets.

This continuous belt dryer in Hungary project shows how even a small rural business can add value, extend shelf life, and build new revenue streams with the right drying technology.

Why RICHI Machinery Was the Right Choice

The family business considered local European drying equipment makers but ultimately chose RICHI for three reasons:

• Experience with Multiple Feedstocks: RICHI's track record with vegetables, fruit chips, and other sensitive foods gave them confidence.
• Custom Engineering Support: RICHI's engineers helped design the airflow pattern and belt speeds for Hungarian spinach and carrots — not generic drying settings.
• Clear Communication: Even from thousands of kilometers away, RICHI's team provided drawings, videos, and step-by-step commissioning support, so the installation went smoothly.

Looking Ahead: Next Steps for the Processor

With the continuous belt dryer running well, the company is already planning its next move — expanding the line with a small IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) unit for off-season spinach exports and possibly adding a new fruit belt dryer dedicated to berry snacks.

They also plan to test drying onion flakes and herbs like parsley — common Hungarian ingredients with rising demand in processed soups and meal kits.

A Message to Other Hungarian Processors

If you're processing vegetables, fruits, or herbs in Hungary and you're still relying on batch tray dryers, this story shows what's possible. A modern continuous belt dryer, belt conveyor dryer, or continuous drying machine can help you unlock new capacity, reduce manual labor, and deliver the product quality big buyers expect.

Don't let old equipment hold your business back.

Why RICHI is Worth Contacting

Investing in a continuous belt dryer from RICHI means more than buying hardware. You get proven drying expertise, tailored advice for your specific crops, and real backup when you need it. RICHI's team understands how to turn Hungarian vegetables, fruits, and herbs into premium, shelf-stable ingredients that hold their color, flavor, and value.

Ready to Level Up?

If you're ready to move beyond small-batch drying headaches, reach out to RICHI today. Their continuous belt dryer in Hungary delivers stable, gentle drying that matches the growing demands of European buyers.

Get in touch with RICHI Machinery and discover how one smart piece of drying equipment can help your Hungarian business grow — just like it did for this family near Debrecen.