DRYING FRUITS BY OSMO-AIR DEHYDRATION
Introduction
There is a wide variety of fruits in Uganda. The problem is that fruits like mangoes, pineapples, jack fruit, etc., are very perishable. To retain the freshness, colour, flavor and texture of fruits, the fruits are Osmo-air dried. Osmo-air dried fruits are widely used in ready-to-eat foods, ice creams, fruit salad, cakes and bakery. This activity can be set up in rural areas to benefit the rural people. The plant has a capacity of 31,200kgs per year allowing revenue estimates of US$200 per year having invested US$ 24,740.
Production Process, Capacity and
Technology
Fruits are selected, cleaned, washed,
peeled, cured and sliced. The prepared fruits are then soaked in a sugar
solution to remove water by osmotic pressure. The slices of fruits are then
drained and dried
in hot air. The fruits are then packed up in flexible pouches. The plant can
have a minimum output of 100kg daily with output to be increased as demand does
increase. This is on the basis of 8-hour work shifts in a day.
Market Analysis
Osmo-air dried fruits are similar to fresh fruits so they are easy to market. Supply to Ice cream makers, Bakeries, Restaurants, Fast food places, etc. This Industry is not yet developed in Uganda.
Capital Investment Requirement in US$
|
Item |
Unit |
Qty |
Price |
Total |
|
Syrup tank |
No |
1 |
500 |
500 |
|
Heating vessels |
No |
1 |
650 |
650 |
|
Nylon net |
No |
1 |
250 |
250 |
|
Plastic vats |
No |
1 |
150 |
150 |
|
Cross flow drier |
No |
1 |
1,100 |
1,100 |
|
Impulse sealer |
No |
1 |
150 |
150 |
|
Other tools & equipment |
No |
1 |
500 |
500 |
|
Total cost of Machinery & Tools |
3,300 |
1. Production costs assumed are for 312 days per year with daily capacity of 100 kgs.
2. Depreciation (fixed asset write off) assumes 4 year life of assets written off at 25% per year for all assets.
3. Direct costs include: materials, supplies and all other costs incurred to produce the product.
4. A production month is 26 days
5. Currency used is US Dollars.
Production and Operation costs in US$
Direct materials, supplies and costs
|
Cost Item |
Units |
Unit |
Qty |
Prod |
Prod |
Prod |
|
Direct Costs |
||||||
|
Fruits |
kgs |
0.3 |
16.03 |
4.81 |
125.0 |
1,500 |
|
Sugar syrup |
Ltrs/kgs |
1.1 |
0.80 |
0.88 |
22.9 |
275 |
|
Citric acid |
Ltrs |
36 |
0.32 |
11.54 |
300.0 |
3,600 |
|
Packing |
kgs |
0.5 |
48.08 |
24.04 |
625.0 |
7,500 |
|
Sub-total |
41 |
1,072.92 |
12,875 |
|||
|
General Costs (Overheads) |
||||||
|
Labour |
400 |
4,800 |
||||
|
Selling & distribution |
120 |
1,440 |
||||
|
Utilities (Water, power) |
150 |
1,800 |
||||
|
Administration |
50 |
600 |
||||
|
Rent |
100 |
1,200 |
||||
|
Miscellaneous expenses |
100 |
1,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
69 |
825 |
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-total |
989 |
11,865 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Operating Costs |
2,061.62 |
24,740 |
Project Product Costs and Price Structure in US $
|
Item |
Qty |
Qty |
Unit |
Prod |
Unit |
Total |
|
Dried Fruits |
100.0 |
31,200 |
0.79 |
24,740 |
1 |
31,200 |
Profitability Analysis in US$
|
Item |
Per |
Per |
Per |
|
Revenue |
100 |
2,600 |
31,200 |
|
Less: Production and operating costs |
79 |
2,062 |
24,740 |
|
Profit |
21 |
538 |
6,460 |