Native Indonesian Breadfruit Hailed as Superfood and Solution to Global Crises
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Breadfruit (sukun) is considered to have the potential to become a food of the future as well as a local Indonesian superfood. This was stated by Edi Santosa, a professor at the Faculty of Agriculture at IPB University.
Edi said that breadfruit possesses a number of important criteria that make it worthy of that title.
He explained that a food can be called a superfood if it has high nutritional content without antinutrients, provides health benefits, and is cultivated in a way that is low in carbon emissions and resilient to climate change.
“Based on various studies and field observations, breadfruit meets all three criteria,” said Edi, quoted from IPB’s official website on Tuesday (7/7/2026).
From a nutritional perspective, Professor Edi explained that breadfruit has several advantages compared to other carbohydrate sources.
In addition to being rich in fibre and having a lower glycaemic index, breadfruit also contains vitamin C, and several studies have found it contains vitamin A, folate, iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), which play an important role in supporting nutrition and preventing stunting.
“Breadfruit also has better nutritional content than cassava. However, every foodstuff has its own strengths and they complement each other, so there is no need to pit them against one another,” he explained.
Breadfruit is also highly adaptable to climate change. This perennial tree crop can grow well both in areas with high rainfall and in dry regions, such as East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
“With relatively minimal care, breadfruit trees are still able to produce almost all year round,” he said.
The economic potential of breadfruit is also very large, especially if it is developed in the form of flour. Breadfruit flour can be processed into various modern food products, from bread and noodles to a range of other processed foods. This opens up broader market opportunities, including for the food industry’s needs.
Meanwhile, for the export market in the form of fresh fruit, further promotional efforts are still needed so that international communities learn how to process and consume breadfruit. He believes the success of jackfruit in penetrating the global market could serve as a model for developing Indonesian local commodities.
According to Edi, what is needed now is stronger promotion, food culture and industry.
“Festivals or competitions based on breadfruit could be steps to increase its popularity. The mass media also plays an important role in introducing breadfruit as an Indonesian superfood,” he concluded.