BRIEF NOTE ON ALOE VERA DRINK:
The Aloe Vera cannot tolerate a hard freeze; therefore it cannot be grown in areas that have temperatures that fall below freezing. Aloe Vera will freeze at 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and if freezing does occur, the plants will die. Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller is the most common type grown. It can be distinguished by its yellow flower. 150 ml of water a month is required in order to produce a quality leaf weighing around 1 Kg. When the Aloe Vera leaf is starved of water, there is an increase production of aloin and emmodin which causes the gel to have a very bitter taste, a brownish color, and a very strong odor. If Aloe Vera is planted in rows at 31 inch centers, with 36 inches between the rows, around 5,000 aloe plants per acre can be planted. Harvest aloe plants can be harvested 4 times per year. Three leaves per plant can be obtained. This makes a total of 12 leaves per plant per year. At an average weight of 1 kg can expect an annual return of 60,000 kg of aloe leaves per acre. Filleting depends on whether it is done manually or through an automated extraction machine; whatever the case may be one should yield at least 43 to 45 percent from a 1 kg aloe leaf.
Aloe leaves are harvested one leaf at a time and are generally chosen from the outermost edge of the plant, then removed by creating an incision at the bottom of the leaf, nearest to the stalk. The leaves are immediately packed and transported to an on-site processing plant to be prepared for stabilization.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY OF ALOE VERA DRINK:
The Aloe Vera Drink is not generally available in the local market and is mainly processed in the different areas of world in powder form which is not sufficient to meet the product requirements of the domestic market. In addition some niches of the market are also served by imports mainly from Australia, Africa and America. The demand for Aloe Vera Drink is increasing in the domestic market as well as in the international market due to the vast benefits that can be driven out from the product. Aloe Vera Processing is a viable profitable business if done properly on Commercial basis. There is a huge business opportunity in this area.
CURRENT INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
There are many obstacles in the road to producing a Aloe Vera product. The reason for this is centered on the delicate nature of the star of this botanical, mannose. As soon as harvesting commences, the nature of the plant is to break down its own healing substances (polymannose) due to the enzyme cellulose found in the tissues of the plant. This response enables the plant to repair its wound and to provide a new skin (similar to what polymannose does in the human body). This process also provides immunity to the leaf (again, similar to the role polymannose plays within the body’s biology) and will ensure the plants survival. Without this protective system, the leaf and plant would become susceptible to viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungus. Therefore, it is imperative to keep the leaves cool, as well as completing processing as quickly as possible, in order to minimize this self-induced degradation. Manufacturing of Aloe Vera Drink requires the basic knowledge of Aloe Vera Plant quality. Aloe Vera Plant is the main raw material and the entire finished product highly depends upon the quality of the Aloe Vera plant. The information and technical know how about the quality of Aloe Vera plant plays a vital role in the desired yield age of the final product. There is an urgent need to move the industry towards automation to compete with rapidly changing environment of world in technology and regulatory framework. Simultaneously, there is also need to comply with the international manufacturing standards.
MAJOR ALOE-VERA PRODUCING COUNTRIES
The major Aloe vera producing countries are USA, Latin America, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, China, India, Thailand, Australia and Nigeria.
MAJOR EXPORTER COUNTRIES
The major exporter countries are North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Mid East, Eastern Asia and Western Europe.