Vegetable Dryer Machine in Mexico

The owner, whose family has farmed for three generations, wanted to reduce waste and extend the shelf life of surplus vegetables that cannot be sold fresh due to slight blemishes or oversupply. In Mexico's climate, during peak harvest, farmers often have to discard large volumes of fresh produce when prices drop too low. By drying excess vegetables, this producer found a way to convert what was once waste into a high-value dried product for local food processors and snack companies.

After researching options, they found that a vegetable dryer machine would give them the control they needed over moisture levels, hygiene, and food safety — all essential when planning to sell to reputable brands or export dried vegetable flakes and powders. After several discussions with RICHI's technical team, they chose to buy a DHG-1000 model, which perfectly matched their daily processing capacity and power setup.

The final specs of the dryer they selected:

• Model: DHG-1000 vegetable drying machine
• Heating method: Electric heating, using the stable local grid
• Total power: 70 kW main heating + 2.2 kW x 3 + 1.5 kW for fans and drives
• Mesh belt: Five layers for maximum drying contact
• Belt width: 1.2 meters, wide enough for bulk vegetable slices
• Drying area: 43㎡

Before they made the investment, the customer used a mix of sun drying and small cabinet dryers for trial batches. But this created a bottleneck: drying times were unpredictable, weather dependent, and exposed the product to dust and insects. As quality standards for dried vegetables rose in Mexico’s food industry, this old system became a risk.

Today, their new vegetable dryer machine in Mexico handles fresh carrot slices, diced bell peppers, zucchini strips, and tomato flakes. Their goal is to make mixed dried veggie packs for local instant noodle brands and ready-made soup producers. On average, they process around 1–1.5 tons of fresh vegetables per hour, feeding them evenly onto the mesh belt in a cleanroom before drying.

In this vegetable dryer machine in Mexico project, about 60% of the raw material comes from their own fields — mostly surplus zucchini and bell peppers that don't meet supermarket standards due to slight shape or color defects. Another 40% is sourced from neighboring smallholders who prefer to sell excess produce at fair prices instead of watching it spoil.

What makes the DHG-1000 vegetable dryer machine in Mexico stand out is its ability to provide uniform drying across all layers. The electric heating ensures stable temperature control, which is crucial for maintaining the natural color and flavor of delicate vegetables. The adjustable belt speed and fan airflow allow operators to set different drying parameters for carrots vs. peppers, which have different moisture content.

The company's manager says the new vegetable dryer machine in Mexico has turned what was once a costly waste problem into a steady profit stream. Instead of paying for waste disposal or low-price animal feed buyers, they now pack and sell dried vegetable mixes under a new local brand name. They have already secured contracts with two snack producers in Mexico City who use these dried veggie flakes as ingredients in healthy snack bars.

A key reason they chose a stand-alone vegetable conveyor dryer instead of a full drying line is flexibility. This producer did not want to be locked into a big investment that requires constant full capacity to be profitable. With the DHG-1000 vegetable dryer machine in Mexico, they can run small or large batches as needed, depending on the season. The modular setup also means they can expand later if demand grows.

The team looked at other drying solutions too — like cabinet dryers or tunnel dryers — but found that for the volumes they handle, the multi-layer conveyor dryer offered the best energy efficiency and output quality balance. They were especially interested in RICHI’s proven track record with conveyor belt dryer technology for vegetables, fruits, and herbs.

In Mexico's booming healthy snack and dehydrated food sector, more processors are looking at how to keep more of the food chain’s value within their own farms or local cooperatives. Small and medium producers are realizing they don't have to rely on just bulk fresh sales to supermarket buyers. With the right vegetable dryer machine in Mexico, even a moderate farm can create shelf-stable products with higher margins.

Some new opportunities for this customer include:

• Packaging single-ingredient dried bell pepper flakes for B2B food manufacturers.
• Selling mixed dried vegetable powders for seasoning blends.
• Supplying dried vegetable pieces to local freeze-dry snack companies as a pre-processing step.

Since commissioning the DHG-1000 vegetable dryer machine in Mexico, the team has already started planning for an additional unit next year if demand keeps growing. They’re also exploring adding a small grinder and mixer to make custom dried vegetable seasonings for foodservice clients.

This story shows how the right vegetable dryer machine in Mexico — whether you call it a vegetable conveyor dryer, vegetable belt dryer, or multi-layer drying machine — can transform surplus harvests into premium products that meet strict export and food safety requirements.

At RICHI, we're proud to help small and medium farms make smart investments that open new doors. Our team supports every customer with installation guidance, operator training, and practical maintenance advice so the machine keeps running smoothly season after season.

If you are in Mexico or anywhere in Latin America and want to know more about which dryer capacity fits your crops — whether it's the DHG-500 vegetable dryer, the DHG-1000 vegetable dryer, or the larger DHG-2000 vegetable drying machine — get in touch with us today. We have real experience helping farmers, cooperatives, and agri-food startups get the most from each harvest with efficient drying solutions that pay for themselves.

When the harvest season comes, don't let extra vegetables go to waste. A vegetable conveyor dryer from RICHI Machinery can help you add value, save more of your produce, and keep your business growing strong.