Hort Innovation is investing in new research to explore whether emerging atmospheric water generation technology could help Australian dried grape growers better manage drying conditions and protect fruit quality in an increasingly variable climate.

The four-month scoping study, led by engineering consultancy firm Lyntra, will evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of integrating the technology into post-harvest drying systems.

For Australian dried grape growers, product quality and value depend heavily on how effectively fruit can be dried after harvest. This process is highly sensitive to ambient weather conditions, with periods of high humidity slowing drying times and increasing the risk of spoilage and fruit degradation. These impacts can reduce the proportion of premium-grade product and directly affect grower returns.

The project will investigate whether Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs), systems that remove moisture from the air, could help create more stable drying conditions by reducing humidity in drying environments.

By helping manage the microclimate around drying fruit, the technology could support more consistent dehydration outcomes, reduce exposure to weather-related risks, and improve reliability during critical harvest windows.

“Growers are continually managing the impact of weather on fruit quality and returns,” said Hort Innovation’s General Manager of Sustainability and Production R&D Anthony Kachenko.

“This project will help determine whether the technology can provide greater control and consistency during a critical stage of production, supporting more reliable outcomes for dried grape growers.”

As part of the study, researchers will assess how AWGs perform under Australian conditions and work with growers to identify where the technology could deliver practical benefits within existing drying systems.

A key output of the project will be a tailored return-on-investment model, providing insight into the potential costs, benefits and feasibility of adoption.

Together, these findings will give growers and industry a practical, evidence-based understanding of whether this technology could deliver value under Australian conditions.

This project DG25002 is funded by Hort Innovation, using the dried grapes research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.