ABSTRACT
Fruit-drying processes worldwide have a deep cultural tradition. In many countries, fruit drying focuses on specific types of fruits such as figs, dates, and mangoes. In some regions of sub-Saharan Africa, small clusters of fruit-drying ventures have cooperated to become economically viable and distribute their products regionally and even internationally under unique brand names. Although manufacturers of fruit-drying equipment are successful in selling equipment in parts of Europe, North America, and Australia, they are only marginally successful in selling equipment in sub-Saharan Africa. Fruit-drying enterprises, especially of mangoes, are becoming increasingly more important to West African economies, particularly Burkina Faso. West African producers of dried mangoes should be encouraged to further enter the European Union (EU) markets to reduce the dominant market position of Asian and South African producers. West African mango producers need to take a more aggressive competitive position in the EU market for dried mangoes. West African mangoes are more competitive in EU markets.
