By July 1, 2022

The rise of raisins 

Raisins have been a fond snack item for people around the world, right from the European civilization period. They are sold in colours like green, golden, brown and black and are known to have some essential medicinal properties, alongside a great nutritive quotient. This is why they have been so widely wanted, majorly as a food item.   

(Source: tools.myfooddata.com) 

The commercial value of raisins
Traditionally, raisins were made by drying grapes in the sun, and with technological advancement over the years, the grape drying methods have evolved. So raisins can now be produced through different channels, which might vary depending on the variety. Drying methods can include machine drying, outdoor drying or chemical drying. This development in the raisin manufacturing business has furthered the profit-making value involved in it, “a move from manual to mechanical harvesting of raisins will unfold potential business opportunities for growers” (Source: transparencymarketresearch.com). Therefore, the scale of manufacturing in raisin production can easily be moved up or down subject to the production budget of a company. All in all, these commercial positives make raisins a great dry fruit choice for manufacturing and trading purposes.  

The goodness it brings
Over the years raisins have maintained a dominance in the dry-fruit market and it is rightly said that they will continually expand more. Especially, when we look at the expert studies in the food industry, we see an undying love for raisins as it is an excellent good for healthy consumption. “Raisins, high level of polyphenol antioxidants containing about 3,037 ORAC units (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity – a method in measuring antioxidants in food) in about 2/3 cup. This essential substance are vital for protection against oxidative stress which is related to aging and disease,” says Ms Tan Yen Sing, a certified clinical dietitian (Source: foodmsia.com). Apart from this, there are some more brilliant benefits associated with raisins, that make it a high-demand product. Let’s look at some of these: 

  1. An assortment of nutrients
    These little natural sweet treats might look tiny in size, but these hold a great nutritive value. Raisins are packed with good sugars, iron, Vitamin C and calcium. They carry anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties too. So, a handful of raisins a day can surely help keep the doctor away.
  2. Weight loss supporter
    Since raisins are known to have 0% fats and are a good energy-giving source, they are included in many diet plans for people who are trying to reduce weight. “Raisins contain natural sugar and can help you curb your sweet cravings. Soaked raisins maintain blood sugar levels, and don’t give you extra calories. So, they ultimately help in weight loss”(Source: Healthshots.com).  
  3. Fights chronic illnesses
    Famously, raisins have been deemed as valuable agents for people with a heart condition. These chewy pops contain properties that make them a good item for consumption. “Antioxidants prevent cell damage caused by natural factors like aging and lifestyle behaviors. Some of the more potent antioxidants in raisins are called phytonutrients. These plant-based compounds have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic conditions like diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancer. Research suggests that phytonutrients may also have anti-inflammatory, pain relief, and brain-protective properties” (Source: webmd.com). 
  4. Promotes overall well-being 
    The anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties of raisins make it versatile in the areas of health. Apart from supporting patients of chronic illnesses, raisins also help detoxify the body and are known to kill bacteria of the mouth and stomach. According to a blog on webmd.com, “Raisins are a good source of soluble fiber, which aids our digestion and reduces stomach issues. Studies have found that this effect may limit plaque-forming bacteria in our mouths” (Source: webmd.com).
  5. Multi-purpose food preparations
    The essence of the demand for raisins definitely lies in its quality of making eating experiences special. Many dishes like cookies, cakes, rice puddings, kebabs etc, use raisins as a top ingredient around the world. 

 Reasons why raisins will be in demand in the future 

  1. Commercially viable good
    Choosing raisins as a product for setting up manufacturing businesses has proved beneficial to owners time and again. Many organizations have agreed that because of all its good qualities, raisins are very easy to market and promote between users.  
  2. Quick snack for the hustle-loving generation
    Now that the hustle culture is rapidly taking over the world, people are looking to optimise time to the best of their abilities. Therefore, there’s an increasing demand for food items that can help sustain the on-the-go lifestyle for people and raisins just happen to be one of those food items. It is both a healthy and an easy-to-carry snack. 
  3. Sacred celebratory significance
    In many Asian and European cultures, raisins are given a high regard and are seen as essential items in marking major celebrations such as the Lantern Festival in Vietnam and Thailand, Eid-Al-Fitr in UAE and Diwali in India. In each of these festivals, raisins are used in preparing gift boxes and also for performing sacred rituals. “Revenue from the target market in Asia-Pacific is estimated to expand significantly during the forecast period due to festival and gifting culture in developing countries” (Source: marketresearch.biz). 
  4. Hassle-free to store and keep
    Adding to all the benefits of raisins, an important reason why it will always stay in consistent demand is because it is a snack that doesn’t require maintenance. You can easily carry it around, be it in your pockets or in your bags or in your lunch box- there’s no hassle at all. They can even be stored away in the pantry for long periods of time.  
  5. Health-conscious consumption choices
    In the post-covid era, more and more buyers are making healthy choices and this is a practice that is definitely going to rise in the coming years. Especially considering the widespread access to the internet, most people can find the merits and demerits of a particular commodity, and thus, make an informed choice. “93 percent of consumers want to eat healthy at least some of the time, with 63 percent trying to eat healthy most or all of the time. But those who are truly health-conscious have made a commitment to healthy living, especially when it comes to food” (Source: mysobol.com). This percentage is an indicator of the positive market state for raisins.  
  6. Regenerative agricultural practices
    Many farmers are turning to regenerative agricultural production, “Since 2019, business interest in regenerative agriculture has spiked by 138 percent” (Source: newfoodmagazine.com) and this is an impactful climate-friendly practice that has been contributing to superior yielding of grape fruits. As a consequence of this, organic raisins supply has risen and is successfully meeting the upward market demand.  

What does the future for raisin producers look like
These factors well indicate an upward trend for raisin production around the world and it can be predicted that the market share of raisins is going to increase in the forthcoming years. Like in the graph below, the raisin market share shows an annual growth rate prediction of 5.4% globally, with a definite section demanding organic raisins as well.  

(Source: transparencymarketresearch.com) 

In fact, in GCE countries and regions like UAE, Thailand, and Vietnam, many business owners have been showing a keen interest in setting up raisin trading companies. “Nonetheless, various industry players in the global raisins market are now increasing their focus towards the establishment of successful collaborations, acquisitions, and joint venture activities as a means to enhance their respective customer bases in rapidly developing economies. In doing so, these players are also increasing their supply capabilities to meet customer requirements on a local and global scale. This factor, paired with promising industrialization prospects in developing economies of the Asia-Pacific region, such as China, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, etc., are expected to create massive business opportunities for key players over the forecast period” (Source: marketresearch.biz). In addition to this, many market studies have shown that revenue generation from raisin dealings will be multi-fold and hence, these dried grapes will be an advantageous choice for dry-fruit traders aiming for progressive annual profits.  

 

 

 

(Source: marketresearch.biz)
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