India is the world's largest producer of jackfruit (Kathal), yet historically, Thailand and Vietnam have dominated the export market. This is shifting fast. The global explosion of "Plant-Based Meat" has turned the humble Indian jackfruit into a premium commodity. Buyers in Germany, the UK, and the USA are no longer looking for just "fruit"—they are hunting for the perfect "vegan pulled pork" texture.
Indian jackfruit exports are projected to touch ₹500 Crore by 2026. However, unlike pomegranates, jackfruit is highly perishable and requires specific "Value Added" strategies to succeed. This guide covers the roadmap.
1. Market Intelligence: What Do Global Buyers Want?
The market is split into two distinct categories. You must choose your lane.
Category A: The "Vegan Meat" Market (Unripe/Raw)
Target: USA, Germany, UK, Netherlands.
The Demand: Young Green Jackfruit (tender, unripe).
Why: When cooked, it mimics the texture of pulled pork or shredded chicken.
Form: Mostly exported as Processed (Canned in brine, Frozen cubes, or Dehydrated chunks). Fresh export of whole raw jackfruit is rare due to weight and sap.
Category B: The "Exotic Fruit" Market (Ripe)
Target: Gulf (UAE, Qatar), UK (Ethnic stores), Singapore.
The Demand: Sweet, Ripe Bulbs (Arils) or Whole Fruit.
The Variety:
Varikka (Kerala/Tamil Nadu): Firm flesh, very sweet, excellent shelf life.
Gumless Jackfruit: Highly preferred in Europe to avoid sticky mess.
The Season: Peak season is March to June (South India) and June to August (North/East India).
2. The "HortiNet" System & Compliance
Unlike Pomegranate (AnarNet), Jackfruit does not yet have its own dedicated portal. It falls under APEDA's "HortiNet" (Other Fruits) module.
Traceability is Key: European buyers now demand the same "Farm-to-Fork" traceability.
You must register your farmers on the HortiNet portal under "Other Fruits".
Phytosanitary Certificate: Mandatory. Issued by plant quarantine officials to prove the fruit is free from fruit flies (Bactrocera umbrosa).
Specific Certifications:
BRC / IFS: Essential if you are exporting processed/canned jackfruit to EU supermarkets.
Vegan Certified: A massive marketing plus for the German/US market.
Kosher/Halal: Mandatory for USA (Kosher) and Gulf (Halal) processed exports.
3. Top Buyers & Importers (The Gatekeepers)
These companies are actively looking for alternative sources to Thailand/Vietnam.
🇩🇪 Germany & 🇳🇱 Netherlands (The Vegan Hub)
Europe is the fastest-growing market for dehydrated and processed jackfruit.
Jacky F. (Germany):
Profile: A specialized brand solely focused on organic jackfruit. They source ethically.
Requirement: Certified Organic, Young Jackfruit (canned/pouched).
Govinda Natur (Germany):
Profile: Large importer of natural foods. They sell jackfruit cubes and flour.
TFC Holland (Netherlands):
Profile: Major importer of exotic fresh fruits. They supply to supermarket chains like Albert Heijn.
Focus: Fresh ripe jackfruit (air freight).
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (The "Pulled Pork" Lovers)
Huge demand in both ethnic stores (fresh) and mainstream retail (processed).
Kiril Mischeff:
Profile: A leading UK food supplier. They supply jackfruit meat alternatives to food manufacturers.
Requirement: Bulk frozen or canned young jackfruit for industrial use.
Lakshmi Stores / VBites:
Profile: Ethnic importers and vegan food manufacturers respectively.
🇺🇸 United States (The Volume Buyer)
The Jackfruit Company:
Profile: The global leader. They source massive quantities from India.
Focus: They work directly with farmer supply chains.
4. Export Logistics & Packaging Specs
This is where 90% of new exporters fail. Jackfruit "sweats" and generates heat.
A. Fresh Export (Air Freight - Ripe)
Temperature: 12°C to 14°C. (WARNING: Below 10°C causes "Chilling Injury" – the skin turns dark brown and fruit rots).
Packaging:
Box: 5 Kg or 10 Kg Corrugated Fibre Board (CFB) box.
Ventilation: Box must have at least 4-6 air vents to release ethylene gas.
Handling: Whole fruits must be wrapped in paper or foam nets to prevent spikes from piercing other fruits.
B. Processed Export (Sea Freight - Young/Raw)
Frozen: Reefer container at -18°C.
Canned/Retort: Normal Dry Container.
HS Codes (Crucial for Customs):
08109090: Fresh Jackfruit.
20081990: Processed / Canned Jackfruit (Vegetable Meat).
11063090: Jackfruit Flour (Rising demand for diabetes control).
5. Action Plan for Exporters
Start with "Value Add": Don't just try to ship whole raw fruits by sea (too risky). Start with Dehydrated Jackfruit, Jackfruit Flour, or Frozen Cubes. The margins are 3x higher.
Fix the Sticky Issue: If shipping fresh, employ a "minimal processing" line. Cut the fruit, remove the bulbs, pack them in 250g vacuum-sealed punnets, and air freight them. This sells for £5-£8 per pack in London, whereas a whole fruit sells for less per kg.
Get the Lab Test: Before pitching to Germany, test your product for Heavy Metals (Lead/Cadmium) and pesticide residues. Indian jackfruit is often organic by default, but you need the paper to prove it.