The simple jackfruit was once regarded as a coarse-textured, oversized fruit, native to India. Not anymore! In the last few years, it has attained global fame. In 2025, it is not just a staple in regional Indian dishes but also a highlight in vegan menus the world over. Whether in Berlin or in New York, you will be surprised to see the jackfruit everywhere. Promoting sustainability, complete nutrition and utmost satisfaction with every bite, it is now topping cuisine dishes everywhere.
Why Jackfruit is the New BFF for Global Health Enthusiasts?
It did not become an overnight sensation. It slowly warmed up and turned out to be important, as more and more people became aware of the benefits of plant-based eating, need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and move towards sustainability. With dietitians and nutritionists recommending less meat consumption and going for ethically sourced, eco-friendly food options, jackfruit had to be popular.
With a fibrous, stringy texture, it is a perfect alternative for meat. It can absorb flavors perfectly, shred just like pulled pork and offer utmost satisfaction, when used in burgers, curries and tacos. It stands out from meat substitutes due to the fact that it is neither chemically altered nor processed. It is sourced from nature directly, and stands as a whole-food substitute, satisfying both flexitarians and vegans.
And then there comes its nutritional worth. Free of cholesterol and gluten, and packed in antioxidants, potassium and fiber, it is an ideal food option for health-conscious people. It is natural, versatile and highly nutritious.
How India Played a Key Role in the Global Dominance of Jackfruit?
The fruit has long been used in various regional dishes of the country. Spicy jackfruit curries are quite popular in Kerala. Kathal biryani is almost equally famous in West Bengal. It is pickled and preserved in coastal delicacies in Goa. However, large parts of this fruit have been wasted for many years due to its big size, lack of market infrastructure and short shelf life.
But things are changing fast. Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) as well as Indian agri-tech start-ups have now started developing innovative jackfruit-based products, such as flour, frozen chunks, packaged pulp and also ready-to-cook vegan meat. With such innovations, small farmers are reducing wastage, reaching new markets and gaining from a growing international demand for jackfruit.
India is the largest producer of jackfruits in the world. The fruit is the official state crop in places like Karnataka, Tripura and Kerala. The governments of these states are investing in export training, cold storage and processing centers for this eatable. With support from the government, the fruit has transformed into a commercial option from being a simple, seasonal harvest. It is also witnessing a big rise in its exports.
Only in 2024, there was a 28% rise in its exports, with countries like the US, Australia, Europe and the Middle East witnessing a major increase in demand. This upward growth in exports is being maintained in 2025, with both processed and raw jackfruit products gaining overseas attention.
How Jackfruit Entered Vegan Freezers?
Jackfruit had a very short shelf life earlier, which was one of the biggest hindrances in its growth. It was often discarded or consumed locally, due to an absence of proper cold chain or storage logistics. However, it can now travel across continents, with no loss of quality or flavor, due to the development of flash-freezing technology, refrigerated support and vacuum packaging.
Indian food companies have also started innovating, coming up with canned jackfruit versions for global markets as well as burger patties, biryani kits and kebabs featuring jackfruits. These products are loved by Indians as well as international customers who look for plant-based meat substitutes.
The rise of direct-to-consumer (D2C) food brands such as Kathalfy, Wakao Foods, and Greenest is also playing a critical role. Jackfruit meat is becoming popular not only in urban Indian kitchens but also in specialty vegan stores and online platforms that are served by export markets. With a focus on easy-to-cook options, sustainability and flavor, these companies are making jackfruit more attractive and easily accessible to modern customers.
Why the Western Vegan Movement Has Embraced Jackfruit?
The plant-based movement is not just a niche lifestyle trend in the West anymore. It has become a mainstream food revolution. More and more people are moving away from actual meat consumption for the supposed health benefits as well as to reduce their environmental footprint. Naturally, jackfruit has turned out to be a big phenomenon in this consumer landscape. It has become an exciting addition to vegan menus.
In Western supermarkets, it can be found in various forms today. You can find canned jackfruit that tastes like pulled pork, frozen jackfruit chunks that can be stir-fried readily, as well as precision jack sliders and tacos that make for great snacks. Jackfruit curry kits are enjoying pride of place alongside traditional Indian sauces, allowing customers to try out new flavors easily.
Many cafes and restaurants are also serving jackfruit dishes regularly. You can find jackfruit-stuffed wraps, jackfruit biryani bowls and jackfruit samosas in global fusion eateries. Jackfruit has also become a signature ingredient in plant-based street foods, served by food trucks in big cities.
Tesco, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and other top retail chains have also introduced private-label jackfruit products. This indicates a strong supply chain and robust consumer demand.
Looking Ahead: Why Jackfruit Will Continue Its Rule?
Absolutely! You can see dehydrated jackfruit jerky, protein-rich jackfruit powders, jackfruit flour and other jackfruit products becoming increasingly popular. This shows that the industry has understood the massive potential of this fruit, and is innovating constantly, to provide customers with new stuffs.
Many food-tech startups are developing next-generation meat substitutes by blending jackfruit with flavor enhancers and lab-grown fats. With these hybrid products, the gap between traditional culinary preferences and plant-based innovation may be bridged in the near future.
NGOs, governments and private players have also started to work together, to make the rise of jackfruit a grassroots success story and not simply a consumer trend. You can expect more supply chain digitization efforts, farm-to-fork models and awareness campaigns in the days to come.
Bottom Line
With food-centric values, lifestyle approach and attitude towards healthy-living changing fast, jackfruit has entered into global prominence at the right time. The journey has just begun and this simple fruit is expected to be the symbol of a major transformation.
