May 29, 2018

Dried fruit market forecast to grow

The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council celebrated the World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress between 21-23 May, 2018, in Seville, Spain. With nearly 1,500 attendees, the congress broke its previous attendance record.

Professionals from more than 60 countries attended the three-day Congress to share knowledge and ideas in market development, supply chain, consumption, product innovation, food safety, nutrition and research. The Congress consisted in 18 sessions including round tables, seminars and keynote speakers’ presentations.

Global dried fruit production has been forecasted to reach almost 3.2 million metric tons in 2018/19; 6 percent up from the prior season and 23 percent over the last 10-year average, on account of an expected increased production of raisins, Sultanas and currants (9 percent), table dates (7 percent), sweetened dried cranberries (6 percent) and prunes (5 percent). World dried apricots and dried figs early estimates predict average production levels of over 214,000 metric tons and 126,000 metric tons, respectively, according to a news release from the council.

The Congress’ program included a Scientific Seminar, chaired by Pino Calcagni, and with Alison Blackwell as guest speaker who gave a conference on Bacteriophage Management of Salmonella Contaminants of Vine Fruits.

“The use of bacteriophage – natural enemies of bacteria – is one possible alternative to the application of conventional bactericidal agents, especially in the organic production”, Blackwell said. Studies are focused on methods of bacteriophage application to the dried fruit with the aim of reducing the risk of the initial contamination on the drying mats, as well as to provide extended protection against the pathogenic bacteria during processing, she said.

The International Nut & Dried Fruit includes nearly 800 companies of the nut and dried fruit sector from over 70 countries. INC is the international organization of reference as regards nuts and dried fruits, health, nutrition, statistics, food-safety, international standards and regulations.

Above: The XXXVII World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress in Seville, Spain (PRNewsfoto/International Nut & Dried Fruit)