Championing local jackfruit

Jackfruit grown in Malaysia fulfils over 100% of local consumer needs and is typically grown only to cater to consumers interested in its ripe form. — MANOJ AP/Unsplash

Jackfruit is one of 21 tropical fruits that are commercially grown in Malaysia, with the country producing over 100% of domestic consumer needs (over 30,000 tonnes a year), according to data from 2017.

While local consumers have long been used to eating ripe jackfruit (Malaysians consume nearly 2kg of it a year), the burgeoning plant-based industry has created an increasing demand for unripe jackfruit, which is used to make plant-based meat.