Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzun – Agro Star has introduced Turkish and Japanese persimmon drying technologies in Uzbekistan and launched production of dried fruit, chips and chocolate-coated products, according to a report on an agro-industrial complex established with the participation of Uzagrostar Holding.
The company buys persimmons from local residents, processes the fruit and supplies finished products to domestic and international markets. It also organises seminars for local communities, with foreign specialists providing training in modern fruit-drying methods.
Altai Harata, a Turkish-born company technologist, said he had around 15 years of experience in fruit processing. He had worked in Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Bulgaria before beginning his cooperation with Uzun – Agro Star.
Under the technology he described, persimmon ripening and drying takes around 40 days. The fruit is hung to dry for the first 20 days, followed by a 20-day conditioning period.
The company has also started producing chocolate-coated persimmons. The dried fruit is first specially processed and ground into a paste. Pistachios, walnuts and other nuts are then added before the mixture is placed into special moulds.
The products are subsequently coated in white, milk or dark chocolate. Harata said the technology had been used for the first time in Uzbekistan at Uzun – Agro Star, adding that the initial results had been successful.
In addition to processing fruit, the company trains local residents in persimmon drying, cultivation and seedling care. With support from Uzun – Agro Star, persimmon drying has now been organised in around 200 households across the country.
The company plans to supply its finished products to domestic and international markets.
