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ABC News
4 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Farmers bet on nutritionally rich jujubes becoming next food trend
Farmers are planting large numbers of jujube trees in the hope that the little-known fruit becomes the next health food phenomenon, following in the footsteps of avocados. Producers are investing millions of dollars growing the fruit, despite many people in the country having never tasted or heard of it. Also known as Chinese dates, jujubes have been grown in Asia for thousands of years. They are a common part of diets and traditional medicine in Asian cultures partly due to their health benefits. A study investigating jujubes found the fruit was a functional food, boasting nutritional values of antioxidants, fibre, and minerals like magnesium and calcium. "This fruit has been used for centuries, especially in tea in China and Egypt." Jujubes are often compared to a small apple, crisp with a sweet, distinct flavour. So, why would farmers take the gamble to grow a fruit that's still a mystery to many? Phuong Cao and her mother Thi Tran have been growing thousands of jujube trees over the past decade on their family farm in South Australia's Renmark. "We planted wine grapes and then the wine grape market went down, so we had to diversify and found jujubes," Ms Cao said. While growing jujubes in a niche market came with its challenges, Ms Cao appreciated the unique flavours and versatile use of the fruit. "It's juicy, sweet and crunchy and has got its distinct taste," she said. For one of the industry's pioneering growers Ben Waddelow, it was the horticultural challenge that attracted him to growing jujubes. "It was something new and different. It was hard to grow, and I needed to reinvent the grafting and propagation techniques," Mr Waddelow said. His passion for the fruit, however, first started with a school project in year 12, when he was late to class and had been given the letter Z to research a plant species. Since then, he has been part of an innovative group of growers who brought more than 40 different varieties to Australia about two decades ago. Besides being enjoyed as a fresh fruit, Mr Waddelow said there was also potential for value-added products such as jujube vinegar and the various foods it was used in across Asia. It's estimated there are about 60 jujube growers cultivating 50,000 trees in Australia, according to AgriFutures Australia data. Large expansions have been taking place, with horticulture companies like Seeka planning to plant tens of thousands of trees. Author of the Australia Jujube 2030 Strategic Blueprint Trevor Ranford saw opportunities in the fruit's export possibilities and the varied climatic areas jujubes could be grown in. Some of the major challenges he identified though were the industry "fragmentation" and lack of consumer knowledge about the fruit. "It's a matter of building volume of people and produce but also getting the industry to work together," he said. South Australian Jujube Growers' Association deputy chair Jody Miltenoff said a national body was needed to establish export markets and build effective communication programs. "For the industry to move forward, it needs to be a united front because the beauty of our jujubes going into the Asian market is we are counter-seasonal," Mr Miltenoff said. He explained that while some growers were already exporting to Hong Kong and Singapore, a concerted effort could lead to opening exports to Vietnam and South Korea. One industry that's grown from the "backyard" to large-scale commercial production is Australia's avocados. Once a fruit consumers didn't pay much attention to, it smashed its way into people's hearts across the globe. Four decades on, it's valued at $589 million. In Australia alone, production tripled in the past decade, from 48,715 tonnes in 2013/2014 to 150,913 tonnes in 2023/2024, according to Avocados Australia data. Riverland avocado grower Sarah Tucker-Boehm and her husband Aaron Boehm are reaping the benefits of her in-laws' foresight to plant the emerging crop in the 1980s. While they started with one 10-acre (4-hectare) parcel, Mark and Dawn Boehm's business has grown to eight parcels with more than 5,200 avocado trees. She described it as an "educated gamble" as people's interest in health and fitness grew, and avocados were seen as a healthy fruit. "Avocados are full of good fats and nutrients. It's got more potassium than bananas," Ms Tucker-Boehm said. While the industry was battling a glut in recent years, which led to lower prices, she said working with the national body Avocados Australia was essential. "They are working on increasing avocado consumption and expanding export markets." Ms Tucker-Boehm, also known as the Avo Farmers Wife on social media, has been at the forefront of providing consumers with produce knowledge. She saw similar potential for Australia's emerging jujube industry due to the fruit's health benefits.
South China Morning Post
28-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Health benefits of ‘superfood' prickly pear cactus, spiking in popularity in Japan
Farmers in Japan are cooking up new menus for the health-conscious, with dishes like quiche, pizza toast, skewers, tempura and cold Chinese noodles sharing a common but somewhat unusual ingredient: prickly pear cactus. Advertisement As one of the few farmers who grow edible cactus in the country, Miki Deguchi is convinced that the nutrient-packed plant is well on its way to becoming a staple. The Opuntia genus, known as prickly pear cactus, is gaining national appeal in Japan for being rich in minerals, dietary fibre and other nutrients. It has a mild, refreshing taste and can even be enjoyed uncooked. There is some evidence to back its 'superfood' label. In 2024, Japan's Chubu University set up the Research Initiatives Centre for Cactus and Succulent Plant Research in the city of Kasugai, where the cultivation of ornamental cactus first took off in Japan. Researchers at the centre confirmed that mice that were fed a diet mixed with cactus pear powder had elevated levels of mucin, a protein that covers the surface of the intestine and blocks viruses, and enhanced immune function. Advertisement 'I'm convinced that [the] cactus has great potential as a functional food,' said Mamoru Tanaka, an associate professor of food and nutrition at the university who took part in the research.
South China Morning Post
28-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Health benefits of ‘superfood' prickly pear cactus, spiking in popularity in Japan
Farmers in Japan are cooking up new menus for the health-conscious, with dishes like quiche, pizza toast, skewers, tempura and cold Chinese noodles sharing a common but somewhat unusual ingredient: prickly pear cactus. Advertisement As one of the few farmers who grow edible cactus in the country, Miki Deguchi is convinced that the nutrient-packed plant is well on its way to becoming a staple. The Opuntia genus, known as prickly pear cactus, is gaining national appeal in Japan for being rich in minerals, dietary fibre and other nutrients. It has a mild, refreshing taste and can even be enjoyed uncooked. There is some evidence to back its 'superfood' label. In 2024, Japan's Chubu University set up the Research Initiatives Centre for Cactus and Succulent Plant Research in the city of Kasugai, where the cultivation of ornamental cactus first took off in Japan. Researchers at the centre confirmed that mice that were fed a diet mixed with cactus pear powder had elevated levels of mucin, a protein that covers the surface of the intestine and blocks viruses, and enhanced immune function. Advertisement 'I'm convinced that [the] cactus has great potential as a functional food,' said Mamoru Tanaka, an associate professor of food and nutrition at the university who took part in the research.
Malay Mail
12-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Meatless moves and herbal brews: Thailand's future food industry steps up
CHIANG MAI, May 12 (Bernama) — As one of the world's leading exporters of rice, sugar, chicken, and seafood, Thailand — nicknamed 'the Land of Smiles' and long known as the 'kitchen of the world' — is now striving to become a leader in the production of future food. Future food falls into four categories: functional food and functional ingredients, medical and personalised food, alternative protein, and organic food. Functional foods include products that offer added health benefits such as boosting immunity or increasing energy—like botanical drinks with Thai herbal extracts such as lemongrass or ginger. Alternative protein refers to plant-based burgers, sausages, or meat that mimic the taste and texture of real meat. Future food exports on the rise Thailand's future food exports are growing rapidly, driven by increasing public awareness of health and wellness. This trend is partly influenced by the post-Covid-19 shift, with more individuals opting for healthier, sustainably produced, and eco-friendly food options. According to Smith Taweelerdniti, managing director of Nithi Foods and Vice President of the Thai Future Food Trade Association, future food currently accounts for around nine per cent of Thailand's total food exports. Speaking at the recent Press Meeting & Networking for Fi Asia & Vitafoods Asia 2025 in Chiang Mai, Taweelerdniti revealed that in January this year, the largest export category — functional food and ingredients — was valued at 11.53 billion Thai baht (RM1.5 billion). This was followed by medical and personalised food (THB 629 million), alternative protein (THB 384 million), and organic food (THB 117 million). Thailand's major export markets for this sector include Asean countries (50 per cent), China (21 per cent), the United States (18 per cent), and the European Union (10 per cent). Meatless Wednesdays Despite strong export performance, Taweelerdniti believes Thailand's biggest challenge is the still-low domestic consumption of future food. 'If Thais themselves don't eat what they produce, the country cannot claim to be a leader in the future food industry,' he said. To address this, his organisation collaborated with Informa Markets Thailand in 2023 to launch the 'Wen Day on Wednesday' campaign — 'wen' meaning avoid or skip in Thai. Each Wednesday, Thais are encouraged to avoid animal-based meat and opt instead for alternative proteins such as plant-based food, fermented products, or edible insects. The campaign also promotes the inclusion of future food options in food establishments such as restaurants, canteens, schools, hospitals, and hotels, supporting a sustainable lifestyle. Other initiatives include Space-F, a food tech incubator accelerator supported by the National Innovation Agency, Thai Union, and Mahidol University, which aims to develop and support startups in this field. Thailand's Ministry of Commerce also supports the movement by ensuring that 30 per cent of food served at official functions is plant-based, contributing to the promotion of future food and carbon emissions reduction. 'Our main goal is to position Thailand as a holistic leader in future food — not just through exports, but also in local consumption, national policy, and food technology,' Taweelerdniti said. Showcasing future food in Thailand Since 2005, Thailand has been categorised as an aged society and is on track to become a super-aged society by 2036. This shift stems from a decline in birth rates — from over one million annually between 1963 and 1983 to around 502,000 births in 2022. In 2023, the number of retirees aged 60 to 64 outnumbered youths entering the workforce aged 20 to 24. According to Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director for Asean at Informa Markets, nutraceuticals are now a hot topic in Thailand, as the country transitions into a super-aged society. Nutraceuticals — derived from 'nutrition' and 'pharmaceuticals' — refer to health-enhancing functional foods. 'People are increasingly concerned about illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health issues. We're seeing a rise in supplement use in daily life. This illustrates how the food industry is growing — and it's evident here in Thailand,' she said. In response, two major food and beverage exhibitions — Fi Asia Thailand and Vitafoods Asia 2025 — will be held concurrently at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok from September 17 to 19. These events will showcase the full spectrum of innovation in food, drink, and nutraceuticals across the region. Fi Asia focuses on food and drink ingredients, bringing together over 700 manufacturers and suppliers from around the world. Meanwhile, Vitafoods Asia highlights functional foods, ingredients, and nutraceutical products. The exhibitions will also feature innovation zones, international conferences, startup competitions in food and beverage, and programmes on new ingredients and foods. 'We expect over 30,000 visitors and buyers to attend. It's a strong synergy between ingredients, supplements, and finished nutraceutical products,' she said. 'In our conferences, we'll also explore consumer trends in Asia Pacific, reasons behind Thailand's food exports to specific countries, and how the country will enter the super-aged society phase in the coming years. 'We'll also discuss regulatory updates in food export-import laws. This is particularly interesting, as there is still no harmonised regulation in the region. Regulatory authorities will share what needs to be done 'For example, if I want to export to Indonesia, what's the procedure? This kind of knowledge will help participants better understand the food business ecosystem in each country,' she added. Thailand remains one of the largest markets for nutraceuticals in the Asia Pacific. According to Euromonitor International, the country's nutraceutical market was worth THB 190 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach THB 239 billion by 2027. — Bernama
