Fairtrade Original is the first to introduce canned Thai jackfruit for Dutch supermarkets

From 21 January 2019, consumers can buy canned Jackfruit from Fairtrade Original in more than 600 Albert Heijn stores. It's the first time that jackfruit canned is available in Dutch supermarkets.

Jackfruit is originally an Indian fruit that is becoming increasingly popular as a healthy meat substitute, partly due to the rise of plant-based food. The jackfruit is grown by Fairtrade farmers in Thailand.

Jackfruit as a meat substitute

Jackfruit is a type of fruit that originally comes from India, but nowadays you can find jackfruit all over Asia, East Africa and Latin America. Pulled Pork is one of the most famous dishes to make with jackfruit. The fleshy structure and taste-absorbing properties make jackfruit an excellent basis for a plant-based meat substitute. Cooking with jackfruit fits well into a conscious lifestyle and is already being used in many restaurants and new food concepts.

Fair trade chain

Fairtrade Original's jackfruit is produced in Thailand by Fairtrade farmers who are part of the Fairtrade-certified “Fairtrade Pineapple Growers Group”. The entire group consists of 49 farmers who have been growing pineapple and mango for Fairtrade Original since 2007. Half of these farmers also grow jackfruit. Processing and canning of the fruit takes place in Prachuap Khiri Khan, at processor Samroiyd Corporation.

Impact

Due to the initiative of Fairtrade Original and Samroiyd Corporation to develop canned jackfruit, jackfruit has been given a Fairtrade standard more quickly and can therefore be traded under fair conditions. By supplying Jackfruit to Fairtrade Original, the affiliated farmers receive an additional 15% Fairtrade premium on top of the Jackfruit market price. In addition, with this new addition to the range, farmers can spread their risks better if, for example, a pineapple or mango crop fails.

You can find more information about jackfruit at: www.jackfruit.nl