New drying techniques improve quality of South African raisins

New drying techniques improve quality of South African raisins

South Africa, Orange River Region, September 2022

Innovative drying techniques are among several new initiatives helping to boost the quality and sustainability of South African raisins. Growers in South Africa have begun using a net-drying process, whereby raisin grapes are sun-dried on elevated nets. The approach allows for natural wind to circulate around the fruit, with any rainfall being irrigated through the net to prevent damage.

The raisins are also dried on 19 millimetres stone courses, ensuring the product is not damaged during heavy rainfall. In the Orange River region, drying racks are used to prevent the sultanas from being exposed to direct sunlight, resulting in their distinctive light amber colour. Golden sultanas, which are normally processed, also gain their famous golden colour from the same approach. 

Compulsory audits also ensure that the new drying facilities meet the requisite food safety and quality standards. Such techniques are ideal in South Africa, where pest and disease pressure are lower due to the hot, dry climate, and with growers adopting good biological practices and control, fewer chemicals are needed. Water for the fruit is sourced from the Orange and Olifants Rivers, and while micro, drip and flood irrigation are used, strict governance also requires all farms to adhere to water rights limitations.

Ferdie Botha, chief executive of industry body Raisins S A, explained: “All these techniques aim to protect the environment, public health, and human communities, as well as ensure complete traceability. That begins with the grower, and all producers must register their farm at the Department of Agriculture. The certified number they receive is then used for traceability throughout the entire process, and no product can be supplied without this number.”

Growers are supported by both agricultural advisers and experts from their packers and Raisins S A, and there has been a special focus on new cultivars and adopting a science-based approach to improve yields and quality. The sector is further backed by the table grape industry, ensuring a collaborative approach to innovation and growth.

Meanwhile, wider social and environmental initiatives are underscoring the latest innovations in farming practices. Raisins SA is currently running a project whereby emerging female farmers are helped to work on the construction of their own drying facilities whilst also being trained in how to properly prepare the land prior to vineyard planting. During this time, they are taught about the latest fertiliser programmes and vine pruning techniques. This work is backed by a new Vine Academy and Model Farm in Kakamas in the Northern Cape, which trains students in the best viticulture practices and educates farmers in new techniques.

It all helps at a time when German consumers are demanding high-quality fresh produce with strong sustainability credentials. “Germany is interested in low levels of pesticide residues and organic produce”, Botha concludes. “They like it when producers focus on regenerative farming methods, and South Africa, as a source, ticks these boxes.”

Notes

• The UK promotional campaign is run by Non Profit Company, Raisins South Africa.
  
  
• Raisins South Africa is the mouthpiece of a new and transformed industry, in collaboration with government and other relevant stakeholders. They play a vital role in advancing growers’ interests.
  
  
• South African raisins are produced in the Orange and Olifants river regions, which is in the Northern and Western Cape respectively. The Northern Cape Province accounts for at least 88 percent of the total annual production. The Western Cape accounts for the remaining 12 percent.
  
  
• These regions experience exceptional levels of sunshine, on average 10.5 hours every day between January and March, which is when the fruit is harvested and naturally sundried. The normally dry, sunny climate, along with the ample supply of water from the rivers, makes ideal growing conditions to produce the highest quality raisins with world-leading shelf life, colour and flavour.
  
  
• The three main varieties are Merbein Seedless, Sultana Seedless and Selma Pete, but other varieties include Sugra 39 and Flame Seedless. The main product produced is Thompsons, Goldens, SA Sultana (previously known as WP) and Orange River (OR Sultana).
  
  
• There are seven processors of South African raisins: the big four represent 85 percent of the total industry, two mid-size packers (14 percent) and one small but very focused supplier (1 percent).
  
  
• There are 700 growers of South African raisins, working in over 1,000 farms.
  
  
• Average temperatures during harvesting and drying period are very warm and dry, ranging from 33—38 degrees C. The maximum temperature can rise as high as 45 degrees C. Winters are cold early mornings and evenings, with frequent frost. Temperatures usually average 20—24 degrees C but can go as low as minus 8 degrees C for extreme cold nights.
  
  
• The Orange River region normally receives 150 to 180 millimetres of rainfall per annum.
  
  
• Raisins are a “natural powerhouse” packed full of nutrients, such as fibre, iron, calcium, and antioxidants. Because most of the water is extracted from dried fruits, their nutrients are concentrated.
  
  
• 20—25 percent of South African dried fruit is exported to the German market.
  
  
• Germany is the largest export market for South African raisins, due to the market favouring product that has no or minimum residues.