Contract Drying at a Glance: Processes, Raw Materials, and Order Quantities
Professional contract drying of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers extends the shelf life of raw plant materials and opens up new possibilities for food production. Crucially, this involves not only temperature and drying time, but also appropriate preparation, cutting, and the drying method suitable for the raw material and order volume.
The Kredenbacher Hof in Esselbach near Marktheidenfeld offers organic-certified contract drying for food manufacturers, professional processors, agricultural businesses, and other commercial clients from all over Germany and, by arrangement, from neighboring European countries. Upon request, we can handle multiple processing steps from a single source: from washing, peeling, and cutting to tray or belt drying, milling, filling, and packaging. Processing can take place in our organic-certified facility according to DE-ÖKO-037.
When is professional contract drying beneficial?
Not every business has its own drying facilities, sufficient staff, or suitable technology for pre- and further processing. External contract drying can therefore be beneficial when seasonal harvests need to be preserved, new products developed, or raw materials prepared for further food production.
- Preservation of seasonal harvests
- Production of ingredients for food, spices, teas, or powders
- Weight and volume reduction for storage and transport
- Processing for resale, own brands, or private labels
- Use of professional technology without own plant investment
Whether an order is technically and economically viable always depends on the raw material, quantity, initial moisture content, desired cut, and the intended end product.
What order quantities and drying methods are possible?
The possible order sizes are raw material-specific and not universally applicable to all products. Our focus is on tray drying delicate herbs, leafy greens, and edible flowers – from approximately 50 kg, depending on suitability – as well as continuous belt drying of suitable fruit and vegetable raw materials. This includes especially apples for apple chip production, as well as carrots and other suitable root vegetables. Here, medium to very large quantities in the tonnage range, up to projects of 100 tons and more, are possible.
Tray drying for herbs & delicate raw materials
Depending on the product, tray dryers are particularly suitable for herbs, leafy greens, edible flowers, and other delicate raw materials. The raw material is placed on individual trays, allowing the drying process to be controlled product-specifically.
Belt drying for medium to very large quantities
For apples for apple chip production, as well as for suitable root vegetables like carrots, the high-performance belt dryer enables economic and continuous processing in commercial and industrial quantities. For carrots, for example, projects of 10, 30, or 50 tons, as well as large orders of 100 tons and more, can be considered.
100 tons is not a minimum quantity for such suitable belt drying projects. The concrete feasibility is assessed based on the raw material and project.
Important: The mentioned quantities are only applicable to the described, suitable raw materials and processes. They are not universally transferable to other products and do not represent a fixed daily or batch output. The actual possible capacity depends, among other things, on the raw material, initial moisture content, cut, season, desired result, and available plant capacity.
For suitable raw materials, washing, peeling, and cutting can be combined with subsequent belt drying. Depending on project planning, continuous processing in shifts is also possible. Detailed information and the inquiry form can be found on our service page on contract drying capacities.
Why raw material preparation is so important
A uniform cut supports the most uniform drying possible. Thickness, shape, and surface influence how quickly moisture can escape from the raw material. Therefore, before starting, it is determined in what condition the goods will be delivered and what the final product should be.
Preparation
- Washing
- Peeling
- Product-specific preparation
Cutting
- Cubes
- Sticks
- Slices
- Other shapes by arrangement
After drying
- Milling
- Powder production
- Filling
- Packaging
Which raw materials are suitable for contract drying?
The focus is on herbs and delicate raw materials for tray drying, as well as apples and suitable root vegetables for belt drying. Other plant raw materials are not automatically accepted; their suitability, the appropriate method, and the possible capacity are individually assessed.
Fruits
- Apples, especially for apple chip production
- Berries after individual suitability assessment
- Other fruit varieties by arrangement
Vegetables
- Carrots
- Parsnips
- Red beets
- Celery
- Other suitable root vegetables by arrangement
Herbs and special raw materials
- Wild garlic
- Parsley
- Leaf and tea herbs
- Edible flowers
- Raw materials for spices, powders, or dry mixes
What products can be made from dried raw materials?
Dried plant raw materials can be processed as standalone products or as ingredients. Typical applications include:
- Fruit and vegetable snacks
- Ingredients for baked goods, mueslis, bars, and dry mixes
- Herbs, spices, and tea blends
- Fruit, vegetable, and herb powders
- Products for resale, own brands, and private labels
- Bulk containers for food manufacturers and processors
The desired subsequent use should be specified in the inquiry. It influences, among other things, the cut, drying degree, further processing, and type of packaging.
Who is contract drying suitable for?
Typical clients
- Food manufacturers and industrial processors
- Professional processors
- Agricultural businesses and agricultural enterprises
- Producer organizations and organic farms
- Spice and tea manufacturers
- Direct marketers, farm shops, and resellers
- Young food companies
This information helps with the assessment
- Product type and condition of the raw material
- Total quantity in kilograms or tons
- Desired pre-treatment and cut
- Desired further processing
- Intended packaging
- Desired timeframe
Meaningfully combine contract processing
Depending on the raw material and planned product, drying can be combined with other services. In addition to pre-treatment, milling, filling, and packaging, Kredenbacher Hof also offers other forms of contract processing:
Nationwide contract drying – Location in Bavaria
The production site of Kredenbacher Hof is located in Esselbach near Marktheidenfeld in Lower Franconia, Bavaria. However, the offer is not limited to the region: We serve food manufacturers, processors, and agricultural businesses from all over Germany and, by arrangement, from neighboring European countries. Delivery and scheduling are coordinated project-specifically.
Inquire about feasibility and capacity
Send us the product type, raw material condition, quantity, desired cut, further processing steps, and the planned timeframe. This allows us to specifically check the suitable facility and available capacities.
Inquire about contract drying without obligationFrequently asked questions about contract drying
What quantities can be dried at Kredenbacher Hof?
The order size depends on the raw material and process. Suitable herbs, leafy greens, and edible flowers for tray drying can be evaluated from approximately 50 kg, depending on suitability. For apples for apple chip production and suitable root vegetables, medium to very large quantities in the tonnage range are possible with the belt dryer. These quantities are not universally transferable to other products.
Can 30 or 50 tons of carrots also be dried?
Yes. 100 tons is not a minimum quantity. Depending on the raw material, cut, initial moisture content, desired drying result, timeframe, and available plant capacity, medium-sized orders such as 30 or 50 tons of carrots can also be processed. Each project is individually assessed.
Can 100 tons of apples or root vegetables also be processed?
Yes. For apples for apple chip production and suitable root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, red beets, or celery, orders of 100 tons of raw material and more can also be considered. This refers to the fresh produce delivered, not the weight of the finished dried product. The exact capacity depends on the raw material, cut, initial moisture content, season, and desired drying result.
What is the minimum quantity required for contract drying?
There is no cross-commodity minimum quantity. For suitable herbs and other delicate raw materials, quantities from approximately 50 kg can be considered for tray drying, depending on suitability. For apples for apple chip production and suitable root vegetables, belt drying is designed for quantities in the tonnage range. Whether an order is technically and economically viable is assessed individually.
What is the difference between tray and belt drying?
In tray drying, the raw material is placed on individual trays. This method is particularly suitable for smaller or delicate batches, depending on the product. In belt drying, suitable raw material is continuously fed through the system on a drying belt. This allows medium to very large quantities to be processed economically.
Is continuous drying in shifts possible?
Yes. For suitable products and sufficiently large order quantities, preparation and belt drying can be carried out continuously in shifts if required.
Which raw materials can be dried?
The focus is on suitable herbs, leafy greens, and edible flowers for tray drying, as well as apples for apple chip production and suitable root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, red beets, or celery for belt drying. Berries and other plant raw materials are evaluated for suitability, method, and capacity after individual consultation.
Is organic-certified processing possible?
Yes. Kredenbacher Hof is an organic-certified operation according to DE-ÖKO-037. Whether and under what conditions a specific raw material can be processed as organic produce is agreed upon before the order.
Is washing, peeling, and cutting also handled?
Yes. Depending on the raw material, washing, peeling, and cutting into cubes, sticks, or slices can be handled. Other cuts are evaluated individually.
Is milling or powder production also possible after drying?
Yes. Depending on the product and desired further processing, dried raw materials can be milled or processed into powder.
Does Kredenbacher Hof also offer filling and packaging?
Yes. Upon request, suitable products can be filled and packaged, for example, in jars, bags, pouches, or bulk containers.
Is contract drying only available for customers from Bavaria?
No. The production site is located in Esselbach near Marktheidenfeld in Bavaria. However, Kredenbacher Hof serves customers from all over Germany and, by arrangement, from neighboring European countries. Delivery and processing are coordinated project-specifically.
How long does drying take?
The duration depends on factors such as the raw material, initial moisture content, cut, loading, and desired drying degree. A reliable estimate is therefore only possible after reviewing the specific project data.
Note: All specified quantities are raw material-specific reference values and not universally transferable to other products. Quantities and processing steps are assessed project-specifically. This does not constitute a guarantee of acceptance or performance for a specific raw material or timeframe.