Dried Fruits Processing

I am Thomas Bogere Kizza, Founder and Managing Director, Tarantula Investments Ltd. The company which is private and registered in Uganda, owns and manages a range of investments. The company has prepared a business plan for drying fruits in Kamuli-Uganda, which is under exploited. Perishable farm produce is wasted or sold at throw-away prices during the peak seasons, due to inadequate post harvest storage facilities and lack of effective processing or preservation, leading to high wastage levels and low capacity utilization. Uganda is far from tapping the potential of processing and exporting dried fruits, due to the limited number of fruit processors and exporters currently available. Dried fruits are estimated to grow in popularity, as a nutritionally rich alternative to fresh fruits, especially in countries with cold weather conditions. Consumption in Asia-Pacific is driven by the growing affluence of the middle class population and rising health consciousness among consumers and the increasing acceptance for packaged food with nutritious ingredients. The funds raised will be used to pay for the following budget items: Land, site and building development, equipment and machinery, auxiliary and service plant equipment, and working capital requirements. The dried fruits will include mangoes, bananas, and pineapples. The plant is expected to create hundreds of new jobs in the Eastern region of Uganda.

Thank you.