Ackee Market

Ackee Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The market is anticipated to expand quickly due to the new trend of buying regional goods through conventional trade channels. Ackees continue to be popular among a broad target market thanks to their buttery and savory flavors, making them a common item in international major supermarkets and specialty shops.

Ackees are being offered by manufacturers in novel and interesting ways to appeal to big consumer bases in overseas regions. To satisfy the changing consumer preferences, top ackee producers are offering canned Ackees that are sweetener-free but still taste delicious.

The market is mainly influenced by increasing exports of canned ackee from Jamaica to developed regional markets such as North America and Europe. The total export sales of such ackees from Jamaica reached over US$ 13 million in 2014 and around US$ 20 million in 2016.

With the increasing demand for non-traditional Jamaican crops among consumers across the globe, the Jamaica Promotions Corporation expects ackee exports to surpass US$ 21 million in 2018 and US$ 29 million by the end of 2020. In addition, the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) predicts that the market will witness excellent growth in the upcoming years with increasing demand for Jamaican crops.

What are impelling factors behind the growth?

Ackee is a fruit-producing plant. South Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, and West Africa are all places where it can be found. Ackee fruit is consumed in Jamaica as food and is regarded as a staple meal.

Dietary fiber, which is abundant in ackee and is good for supporting digestive health. Fiber promotes healthy bowel movements, reducing numerous stomach-related problems like obesity and constipation. Additionally, it lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders.

A little more than half a cup of ackee, or 100g, contains about 150 calories, 15g of fat, 3g of protein, and less than 1g of carbs per serving. Therefore, individuals who follow a ketogenic or another high-fat diet may be able to benefit from this adaptable high-fat fruit.

What are the factors impacting the market growth?

As the presence of hypoglycin A content of pods and seeds of unripe ackees can lead to cause Jamaican vomiting sickness, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration imposes stringent rules on the imports of ackees in North America. Shipments in different forms such as raw, canned, frozen, and dried, without a physical examination, are banned in the U.S. The stringent regulations and rules imposed on products sold in the U.S. in various forms may impact the growth of the market, as it may compel market players to modify their manufacturing processes and strategies.

Unripe ackee fruit is extremely dangerous, though. Ackee which is still unripe is a common source of poisoning in Africa and the Caribbean. When unripe fruit is consumed during food scarcity, epidemics of poisoning may develop. These fruits are also used for their medicinal properties and used as a treatment for colds and fevers.

Section 402(a) (4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act; 21 U.S.C. 342(a) (4)) states that if canned, frozen, and other forms of products are considered to be adulterated in the U.S. if they contain hypoglycin A at levels higher than 100ppm.

In order to comply with the regulations developed by FDA, manufacturers in the market are adopting innovative strategies to make safer and more cost-effective products. Jamaica is the only country where it is identified as an edible crop. As a result, Jamaican manufacturers in the market are employing advanced manufacturing processes to consolidate a stronger position in the market with high-quality products. The market is expected to envisage excellent growth as it is not part of just Jamaican cuisine but is witnessing demand across the world as an exotic and delicious fruit.

Even if it has been cooked, unripe ackee fruit should not be consumed. The water used to cook the unripe fruit may also be lethal. The unripe fruit has toxins in it that might damage the liver. Along with dangerously low blood sugar levels, convulsions, and even death, the unripe fruit can also cause.

Regional Insights

The Caribbean, Canada, and the U.S. remain among the important target markets for manufacturers in the market. The restaurants and hotel sector remains the primary target consumer group for leading manufacturers and distributors in the market.

Ackee is frequently consumed raw, fried in oil, or combined with soups in several West African nations, including Cameroon, Ghana, and Senegal. In Jamaica, it is frequently prepared either curried and served with rice, or with codfish, onions, and tomatoes.

As more than 50% of demand for the ethnic food comes from the food service industry, established players in the market are making deliberate steps to improve their position in the food service industry. Ackees in various forms such as canned and processed continue to gain popularity among consumers across the globe, which ultimately triggers the growth of the market.