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Fruit and Vegetable Drying Facility Cost

Nowadays, many systems and machines are required to establish a fruit and vegetable drying facility.

Drying Systems
We can start by discussing the drying systems. The most cost-effective drying system currently is the sun drying system. However, sun-dried products often face issues such as contamination with aflatoxins, insects, dust, soil, and other harmful substances. This method is not hygienic. Sometimes, products dried in the sun are washed and processed again in drying ovens for further refinement.

Other drying systems include Ekotec heat pump drying systems, natural gas drying systems, solid fuel drying systems, electric drying systems, geothermal drying systems, freeze-drying (lyophilization), and vacuum drying systems. Let’s briefly explain some of these:

Ekotec Heat Pump Drying System

• When analyzing the cost of fruit and vegetable drying facilities, this system offers the lowest operating cost after sun drying.
• Advantages:
  • Affordable installation cost
  • Hygienic drying
  • High energy efficiency
  • Portable (easy to set up, disassemble, and relocate)
  • Automated temperature and humidity control
  • Closed-loop dehumidification

Natural Gas Drying System

• Requires a natural gas infrastructure on-site
• High installation and operating costs
• Open-loop dehumidification
• Hygienic drying

Solid Fuel Drying System

• Affordable installation cost
• Open-loop dehumidification
• Requires storage space for fuel and fuel waste
• Higher manpower requirements compared to other systems
• High operating costs

Electric Drying System

• Affordable installation cost
• Hygienic drying
• Very high operating cost
• Open-loop dehumidification
• Requires a high-capacity electrical system

Geothermal Drying System

• Very high installation cost
• Hygienic drying
• Open-loop dehumidification
• High operating cost

Freeze Drying (Lyophilization)

• High installation and operating costs
• Not suitable for all types of products
• Hygienic drying
• Closed-loop drying

Vacuum Drying

• Very high installation and operating costs
• Hygienic drying
• Closed-loop drying

As explained above, heat pump drying systems are becoming increasingly popular worldwide and in Turkey. These systems are more advantageous than others due to their ease of use and classification under renewable energy systems. Their environmentally friendly and waste-free operation makes them eligible for subsidies in some regions. Additionally, government tenders now favor heat pump drying systems.

Ekotec Heat Pump Drying Models
For a drying facility with an average capacity of 1500 kg of fresh product, a space of 200 square meters is generally sufficient if an Ekotec heat pump drying system is installed. This area is enough for the Ekotec heat pump dryer, drying cabinet, and 400 PE drying crates.

Many investors make a common mistake at this stage: they purchase unnecessary machines without fully understanding their requirements. Machines should only be purchased step by step, after the facility has been established and the drying process has begun. Machines bought without proper planning often remain unused, taking up space.

To avoid this, initially prepare products manually and then identify the equipment needs as operations progress.

Sample Model Specifications

The costs of a drying facility vary depending on the type and form of the product being dried. Different products require various processes such as slicing, dicing, cutting into cubes, washing, peeling, and packaging. Therefore, the first investment should focus on the heat pump drying oven, and the second stage should involve other equipment as needed.