The rising global interest in plant-based proteins and healthy and sustainable food options has resulted in an increase in India jackfruit export. Jackfruit, known as the “miracle fruit” in tropical climates, has become a mainstay in the respective market given its use as a meat alternative and its strong nutritional value.

India, as the world’s largest producer of jackfruit, exports high amounts of it to customers in 175+ countries and will see those volumes increase more rapidly in the coming years. Domestic and international interest in vegan or vegetarian lifestyles continues to rise and will lead to further increases in the Jackfruit international trade. 

As this will lead to increased demand, we are here to help you understand all the details of the ⁠ ⁠bulk jackfruit export that can help you get a competitive edge. 

Jackfruit Production in India

India holds the position of undisputed leader in jackfruit production globally, with primary production concentrated in states like:

• Kerala,
• Tamil Nadu, 
• Karnataka, 
• Odisha, 
• And West Bengal.
  

These states contribute more than 70% of jackfruit production in India. In fact, it has been steadily increasing due to increased technology and expanding areas under cultivation. 

The primary production seasons are generally from March through September and peak production occurs in the monsoon season, which is an important point to consider in export planning.

Reports of Indian jackfruit production indicate that in 2024, total production exceeded 1.4 million metric tonnes. This is a result of strong, steady product growth occurring of ⁠frozen raw jackfruit due to increased planting area, improved farming practices, and increasing domestic consumption of jackfruit. 

Therefore, it may be appropriate to say that jackfruit production in India is changing from a traditional crop to a significant export commodity, as the global demand for healthy plant-based food continues to grow. 

India’s focus on improving quality and assuring that Indian exports comply with necessary Harvest and Post-Harvest Practices has allowed Indian exprters to meet global standards for ⁠frozen tender jackfruit. 

Global Demand for Jackfruit

The demand for jackfruit exports is rising significantly. Recent market research reports that the global jackfruit market reached a value of $260 million in the year 2023 and in 2024 it was valued at $322.31 million. By 2033, it will reach 620 million and the scope is certainly going to get higher.

• North America, Europe, and Asia – Pacific are key markets, with consumer preferences increasingly shifting to plant-based, gluten-free, and organic food products.

• In 2024 alone, the US market has had a 12% increase in jackfruit import volumes. US buyers are particularly interested in frozen, canned, and ready to eat jackfruit products.

• European nations such as the UK, Germany, Netherlands, etc. have increased jackfruit imports as well as interest and consumption of jackfruit-based vegan foods and ethnic or traditional foods in recent years.

• Countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are also starting to source Halal certified jackfruit varieties representing health, wellness, and traditional diets.
  

Market forecasts foresee that jackfruit export demand will substantially grow as consumers and retail supermarket sectors demand new, sustainable and healthy food options, and India remains competitive for jackfruit exports.

Opportunities in International Markets

The opportunities to export ⁠raw jackfruit frozen are expanding in each region of the world, but this noticeable increase in jackfruit exports is especially remarkable in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.

• Frozen products: In regions with cold chain handling, jackfruit can be frozen rapidly to make the product available to supermarket chains, food processing and food service and maintain freshness between the point of harvest and sale.

• Processed products: Processed products produced by manufacturers in middle markets such as the U.K. and U.S.A., like whole fruit, sliced fruit, cubed and shredded, have marketed the jackfruit using terms such as vegan, vegetarian and health-conscious product attributes to market their products.

• Niche sectors: The vegan food sector continues to grow while jackfruit has found a niche in this specialized meat-replacing ingredient in meals.

• Emerging markets: Emerging markets in Japan, South Korea and Australia continue to pursue export opportunities for ⁠jackfruit in bulk. Emerging markets are drawn to jackfruit from a health, sustainability perspective and dietary diversity.

Indian exporters can take advantage of this volume, by branding Indian jackfruit export products to high-quality, sustainable, low-sulfite standards, adhering to international food safety standards such as HACCP, GlobalGAP, and, if appropriate, organic certification.

Challenges in Jackfruit Export

While jackfruit exports show promise, they encounter complications including:

• Seasonality and perishability: The fruit has a short seasonal window of availability and sensitivity to delays in getting it to consumers after harvest, presenting logistical challenges.

• Standardization and certification: Searching for certification to meet rigorous phytosanitary, quality and safety standards, such as FSSAI, HACCP, and organic certification for premium markets.
  
• Logistics: Ensuring the cold chain is consistent throughout transit, especially for frozen and jackfruit processed products, is very important. A break in the chain significantly increases risks of spoilage and rejection.

Government Initiatives & Support

The GOI is working diligently to promote the export of jackfruit, through various schemes and initiatives. This includes softer export promotion programs from APEDA, where there are subsidies to promote quality and quality certifications related to jackfruit. The measures that APEDA promotes for jackfruit exports encourage farmers and exporters to meet international export standards, including Organic, Halal and HACCP certifications, which positions jackfruit competitively in international markets.

Trade Policy mechanisms also help facilitate exports, including the MEIS (Market-Linked Incentive Scheme) that seeks to assist exporters specifically by optimizing costs due to exporting. Strategies for obtaining certifications, in addition to ascertaining safety, enhances consumer confidence when consuming premium jackfruit products.

Tips for New Exporters

Below are some of the essential tips for all the ⁠⁠jackfruit exporters in India to follow to gain a competitive edge in the market.

• If you are new to the jackfruit export India sector, success depends on knowing the export documents like phytosanitary certificates, accurate labels, and international food safety protocols.

• Make sure to have strong relationships with reputable halal certifying bodies, quality auditors, and logistics companies are important to verify that the jackfruit remains consistent and high-quality at all stages.

• To be one of the top ⁠⁠jackfruit suppliers in india, always consider to involve international buyers early, performing market research, and aligning product presentation to correspondent regions. It can help throughout the process of accelerating market entry and growing market share. 

Conclusion

India’s jackfruit export growth has highlighted the international demand for nutritious, sustainable, and diverse plant-based foods. It completely indicates the potential for strong growth but with the added benefit of certification frameworks and logistical systems, India’s place to be a leading jackfruit-producing country is clear.

As trends continue towards healthier and sustainable diets, we can expect the day to come that Indian jackfruit is a dominant staple of the future of global food trade, which provides much potential for enterprising innovators. 

To ensure you are thriving in the opportunities, partner with reliable Indian suppliers like BR Global Trade, and take advantage of India’s positioning as a major jackfruit export expert for the new global food ecosystem.