Food Dryer Machine in Peru

Project Background: From Small-Batch to Steady Production

The customer is a cooperative-style family business that has been collecting and processing native Andean fruits like golden berries (aguaymanto), small mangoes (mango criollo), bananas, and pineapple slices for local health food shops and small export orders. For years, they relied on traditional sun-drying on raised beds and small cabinet dryers, which were unreliable and couldn’t handle larger volumes.

The turning point came when one of their European buyers requested bigger, consistent shipments of dried golden berries and pineapple slices. The buyer wanted uniform moisture levels and stable microbiological quality — something the customer’s old sun-drying beds simply couldn't guarantee, especially during Peru’s rainy season from November to March.

After months of research and comparing suppliers, they chose to buy a single RICHI food dryer machine — not a full production line, but one high-capacity belt dryer that could work alongside their existing washing and slicing equipment.

Why the Customer Selected the DHG-1000 Belt Dryer

Given their target output, energy resources, and the type of raw materials, they decided on the DHG-1000 electric heating belt dryer. Below are the relevant specs:

• Model: DHG-1000
• Heating Method: Electric heating
• Total Power: 70 kW + 2.2 kW x 3 + 1.5 kW
• Belt Layers: 5 layers
• Belt Width: 1.2 meters
• Drying Area: 43 m²

This food dryer machine in Peru struck the right balance: not too small to be inefficient for their daily volumes, but not too big for their rural electricity supply. The multi-layer conveyor design allows them to dry delicate fruit slices at lower temperatures, keeping color and nutrients intact.

Local Raw Materials: Tropical and Andean Fruit

Their main focus is on two native products:

• Golden Berries (Physalis peruviana): High in vitamin C and antioxidants, golden berries are in demand in health food markets. They’re delicate and prone to mold if not dried properly.
• Pineapple Slices: Sourced from small farmers in the lowland valleys. When dried, these sweet slices are sold to snack packagers or used as ingredients in muesli and breakfast cereals.

Other seasonal batches include banana chips and mango strips when prices are good. The customer also plans to test drying native Andean herbs like muña and coca leaves in the future for export to the herbal tea market, though these require specific permits.

How the Food Dryer Machine Changed the Game

Before installing the food dryer machine in Peru, their biggest problem was wasted produce during wet weather. Piles of pineapple slices would spoil during sudden rains, and golden berries would often mold halfway through drying. Manual labor was high, output was unpredictable, and product rejections were common.

Since commissioning the DHG-1000 belt dryer, the customer's business has transformed:

• No More Weather Surprises: They can dry fruit year-round, regardless of rain or high mountain humidity.
• Consistent Product: Even airflow and adjustable belt speeds mean every batch has uniform moisture, color, and texture.
• Higher Price Point: Better quality means they can sell to larger buyers at premium prices instead of just local health shops.
• Less Waste: More fresh fruit makes it to the final product, boosting income for both the processor and their farmer suppliers.

Real Impact: From Local Markets to Export Shelves

Thanks to the food dryer machine in Peru, the cooperative now produces over twice as much dried fruit per week as before. What’s more, their new consistency has allowed them to sign longer-term supply contracts with larger distributors in Lima and even specialty food buyers in Germany and the Netherlands.

The belt dryer's modular design means they can process different fruits in quick succession. For example, they dry golden berries at lower temperatures overnight, then switch to pineapple slices during the day. The machine's simple controls make it easy for their small team to operate and maintain without needing a large technical staff.

Why They Didn't Buy a Full Line

The customer's strategy is realistic for a rural small business: they already have good equipment for washing, peeling, and slicing fruit. Their only major limitation was drying. By upgrading just this part of the process with the RICHI belt dryer, they solved their biggest production bottleneck without spending a fortune or interrupting their daily operations.

When they're ready to grow again, they plan to invest in automatic sorting and packaging — and they know RICHI can support them then, too.

Why RICHI Was the Right Partner

The cooperative looked at several Chinese and European suppliers but chose RICHI for a few simple reasons:

• They could get a belt dryer sized for their specific products and rural power supply.
• RICHI's engineers provided practical advice on drying temperature, airflow, and cleaning routines for tropical fruit.
• Parts and technical support were available through a local partner in Peru, so they weren’t left alone after installation.

Helping Local Farmers and the Community

One of the most important outcomes of the new food dryer machine in Peru is its impact on the wider community. By boosting drying capacity, the cooperative can buy more fruit from smallholder farmers who often struggle to sell surplus during the peak harvest. The higher, stable prices keep families in the region earning steady income and encourage the younger generation to stay involved in farming.

Looking Ahead: New Products and New Markets

Next, the customer plans to experiment with dried fruit powders for baking mixes and health supplements. With the consistent drying performance of the DHG-1000 food dryer machine in Peru, they know they can safely test new ideas without risking big losses.

They're also exploring organic certification to tap into higher-value health markets in the EU and the US. With reliable drying, they finally meet strict food safety and moisture standards.

A Message for Other Small Peruvian Food Processors

If you run a small fruit or vegetable operation in Peru — whether it's golden berries in the Andes, mangoes on the coast, or herbal teas in the jungle — a reliable food dryer machine can make all the difference.

The days of losing half your crop to unexpected rain or inconsistent drying are over. A belt dryer, food belt dryer, or continuous food dryer machine like the DHG series from RICHI gives you control over quality, output, and costs.

Why Choose RICHI for Your Drying Needs

When you buy a food dryer machine from RICHI, you're not just buying a piece of metal. You're getting:

• Proven experience drying a huge range of food products — from fruit and vegetables to fish feed and pet treats.
• Practical installation support tailored to Peru’s rural infrastructure.
• Dependable after-sales service and spare parts supply.

RICHI's food drying solutions are already helping farmers and processors in Asia, Africa, and Latin America grow stronger businesses and open new markets. Now, more Peruvian producers are joining that success story.

Ready to Grow? Talk to RICHI Today

If you're tired of seeing good produce spoil before it ever reaches the market, it's time to talk to RICHI. A food dryer machine in Peru could be the smartest investment you make for your farm or factory this year — and the key to building a stable, profitable business that supports your community.

Contact RICHI Machinery today. Let's put Peru's amazing fruits on shelves around the world — dried perfectly, every time.