The jackfruit renaissance: A holistic review of value addition, processing and global market potential

Abstract:

The jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), a particular member of the Moraceae family, is abundantly found in Asia's tropical and subtropical regions. It is a versatile tropical fruit renowned for its nutritional richness-including high fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants-and unique physio-chemical properties such as high moisture content, natural sweetness and fibrous texture. Despite its large size, sticky latex and high perishability, jackfruit presents significant opportunities for value addition, which aims to enhance shelf life, diversify products, improve marketability and increase profitability for farmers and entrepreneurs. Value-added products-including chips, pickles, ready-to-cook packs, vegan meat alternatives and nutraceuticals-can significantly enhance profitability while reducing post-harvest losses. Global market trends indicate rising demand for plant-based, gluten-free and functional foods, with increasing export potential to Europe, North America and the Middle East. This article integrates physio-chemical characterization, economic analysis, market trends, processing methods, marketing strategies, export potential and research projects, highlighting jackfruit as a nutritionally rich, economically viable and globally promising fruit for the modern food industry.