Jackfruit becoming popular in US

BANGKOK, Aug 29 (TNA) - Director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) Ms Malee Choklumlerd said that fresh or products from jackfruits are becoming quite popular among consumers in the United States as an alternative to meat. Ms Malee said various media in the US, especially those who are connected to the groups of consumers which favour organic and vegetarian products, are paying extra attention and presenting more benefits of jackfruit to the consumers, naming the fruit, the New Super Fruit, while also informing consumers how to prepare dishes with the food with fresh or unripened jackfruits, as well as it seeds. Ms Malee said competition for the fruit is still not high in the United States as it is a new market for the fruit. She said the expansion of the Thai jackfruit market is only possible through the cooperation between the Thai restaurants in the US and the Thai government's stimulation through the providing of knowledge to these restaurants to prepare dishes with the fruit, after which the US consumers must be encouraged to try out dishes made from the fruit. A report informed that between 2014-2015, about 25 per cent of the total US consumers had turned to consume more meat alternative food, expanding the market from 69 million US dollars in 2011 to 109 million US dollars in 2015. Meanwhile, the DITP office Los Angeles has also reported that jackfruit seeds are also showing signs of high potential in the US market though they are not yet quite well know in the country. (TNA)