The establishment of a jackfruit processing center in Abuyog, Philippines, aims to enhance the value chain of jackfruit, a prominent commodity in the Eastern Visayas region. Spearheaded by Jorge Alvero, Jr., chairperson of Abuyog Jackfruit and Tropical Fruits Producers, Inc., the facility's completion is targeted for late 2025 or early 2026.
The processing center, financed by a PHP6-million grant from the Department of Agriculture, is intended to support post-harvest activities by processing frozen jackfruit. The move seeks to extend the fruit's shelf life while maintaining its characteristic sweetness and flavor profile. "The completion is very timely to support our post-harvest activities early next year," Alvero remarked to the Philippine News Agency.
This initiative will aid jackfruit farmers in Abuyog and surrounding areas, as per project management plans. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on July 10 at the New Pilar Community in Tinalian village. Alvero emphasized the importance of consolidating produce from local jackfruit farmers, including those outside the association, for centralized processing.
Currently, local farmers handle jackfruit processing independently, primarily distributing their produce to Cebu or selling it at roadside stands in Abuyog. The new facility is expected to centralize this process, facilitating improved logistics for growers in the region.
Abuyog Jackfruit and Tropical Fruits Producers, Inc. cultivates 48 hectares of the EVIARC sweet variety of jackfruit, known for its unique properties: Natural sweetness, distinctive yellow fruitlet thickness, aromatic ellipsoid shape, and moderate latex content. The variety was assessed for notable traits for three years, from 2004 to 2006, alongside standards from the Fruit Crops Technical Working Group of the National Seed Industry Council.
According to Jenny Lyn Almeria, DA regional technical director for research and regulations, the new facility ensures the year-round availability of fresh jackfruit. She noted, "Jackfruit is a major high-value crop in the region. We have the sweetest variety in the country. The center will become the market outlet for our farm produce. This is an important step toward improving marketability and ensuring year-round availability."
The EVIARC sweet variety claims international recognition based on its 25.15 degrees Brix rating, aligning with industry standards for sugar content measurement.
Source: PNA
