yourharvest eyes Middle East expansion amid growing dried fruit demand

MIDDLE EAST – yourharvest, a Switzerland-based company specializing in dried fruit snacks, is setting its sights on the Middle East as part of its international expansion strategy.

Despite being officially launched in 2021, the firm has been in the dried fruit business since the early 1990s, with a strong presence in Switzerland and neighboring European markets such as Germany, France, and Italy.

To accelerate its expansion, yourharvest recently participated in Gulfood for the first time, hoping to establish partnerships in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and beyond.

“We’re trying to find partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area, and also in other parts of Asia and North America,” said Colin Iten, Product Manager – Alternative Food & Flavours at yourharvest.

“We see opportunities in the Middle East because there are a lot of people here who eat dried tropical fruits. We heard that many have these at home as a regular snack, so this could be a good space to tap into — bringing in a new premium product into the market for the locals to try.”

Award-winning mango coconut fruit tablet

yourharvest’s Mango Coconut Fruit Tablet, produced in partnership with Ghana-based food processing company Bomarts, received recognition at Gulfood 2025 by winning the Innovation Award in the Best Snacks/Baked Product category.

The snack features a blend of mango and coconut, creating a sweet yet tangy taste and a chewy texture.

“It has a unique mouthfeel, with the crunchiness of coconut and chewiness of mango puree, and it has no added sugar. We extract the pulp from mango seeds, which are typically thrown away. This way, we use more parts of the fruit than most usually would. It is not only a healthy snack but also more sustainable, making the eating experience even more special,” Iten said.

The fruit tablet has a shelf life of one year and does not require refrigeration. Manufacturers may use natural preservatives like ascorbic acid and citric acid, which are widely accepted by consumers.

The Mango Coconut Fruit Tablet was developed by Bomarts and is produced in Ghana using raw materials sourced from the company.

Bomarts has become one of the most important partners in this initiative. Within the framework of this close partnership, a cooperative of smallholders has since been established with the goal of developing a productive and sustainable supply chain for fairly produced tropical dried fruit.

Today, the Adumanya Cooperative consists of 34 members who supply their Fairtrade-certified fruits to Bomarts.

The product portfolio includes dried mangoes, dried pineapple, papaya, coconut, bananas, and dried mangoes and pineapples of organic quality.

yourharvest’s efforts are focused on strengthening the collaboration with Bomarts and jointly expanding production capacities.

Expanding Coconut Operations

Beyond dried fruits, yourharvest is also growing its coconut business. The company co-owns and distributes products from Tahoma, a coconut manufacturer in Sri Lanka that began operations in 2023.

Tahoma’s factory produces desiccated coconut, coconut chips, virgin coconut oil, and coconut flour as a by-product of the oil production process.

Tahoma collaborates with a local cooperative, Gampaha Kabanika Govinge Sangamaya, ensuring a sustainable and steady supply of coconuts. The partnership provides farmers with stable income and strengthens their agricultural expertise.

“As the sister company of Target Agriculture, Tahoma builds on a long experience and know-how in the coconut industry. Furthermore, the various certifications obtained [for its coconut], including IFS, ensure that its products are of high quality, meet globally recognized food safety standards, and made with social responsibility,” Iten noted.

Market trends support expansion

The demand for dried fruits continues to rise, with the Middle East market projected to grow significantly.

In 2023, the dried fruits market in the Middle East and Africa was valued at USD 733.47 million and is expected to reach USD 1,097.45 million by 2032, growing at a steady rate.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey are key markets, where dried fruits such as dates, raisins, and apricots play a major role in traditional cuisine and snack consumption.

Globally, the dried fruits market was valued at USD 6.71 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 10.41 billion by 2032.

Europe holds the largest market share, followed by North America and Asia-Pacific. The rising interest in nutritious, convenient snacks and organic products is fueling growth.

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