Solar drying uses purpose-built enclosures that concentrate solar heat and manage airflow to remove moisture from fruit, vegetables and herbs faster and more hygienically than open-air sun drying, while protecting product from dust, rain and pests.
In trade practice
Solar dryers range from simple polytunnel structures to engineered systems with temperature and humidity sensors. Because drying rate depends on ambient conditions, suppliers must monitor moisture content throughout the process and document final water activity or moisture readings for each batch. Buyers assessing solar-dried product check whether the dryer design prevents pest ingress and cross-contamination, as these are common audit findings. For EU market entry, the drying facility must be covered by the supplier’s food safety management system, regardless of the energy source used.
In a specification
A specification may require the supplier to declare the drying method as solar-dried, confirm that the facility meets defined hygiene standards, and provide moisture or water activity data from the production batch.