the product
a 100% natural ingredient for greener everyday meals
Dehydrated young jackfruit has several unique features that make it a versatile ingredient for a wide range of dishes:
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Harvested young, before it ripens, the jackfruit has a neutral taste that easily absorbs spices, marinades and sauces
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Jackfruit's natural texture is chewy and fibrous, giving dishes a satisfying bite and a familiar mouthfeel
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The dehydration process reduces the fruit’s weight by 80%, significantly lowering carbon emissions during transport
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Rehydration is quick and easy, with a 1:8 ratio
the fruit
the size? big.
the shape? oblong.
the colour? green.
the outside? spiky.
the texture? chewy.
the taste? neutral, when unripe.
Jackfruit is the world's largest tree fruit. It normally weighs between 10-25 kg and measures 30-90 centimeters. One fruit can provide food for a whole family. Jackfruit is common in tropical and subtropical regions in Asia and Africa.
the tree
Jackfruit is grown in homesteads across East Africa, contributing to local biodiversity and sustainable farming practices. The jackfruit tree is celebrated for its resilience and productivity, yet it remains largely under-commercialised, leading to significant waste.
Each tree can yield up to 200 fruits annually, demonstrating its high productivity. It is naturally drought and pest-resistant, thriving without the need for artificial irrigation, pesticides, or herbicides. As a perennial tree crop, jackfruit trees do not require replanting each year, making them a sustainable and cost-effective investment for agroforestry systems.
Embracing agroforestry practices with jackfruit trees can enhance soil health, promote biodiversity, and support long-term ecological resilience.
Benefits of Agroforestry
1
Promotion of Biodiversity
2
Carbon Sequestration
3
Nitrogen Fixing
and Prevention of Soil Erosion
4
Pure Air and Improved Water Quality
5
Creation of Habitats for Wildlife
6
Provision of Compost Material
and Feed for Animals
the farmers
Smallholder farmers in Kenya and Uganda play a crucial role in the agricultural sectors of their countries. These farmers typically manage plots of land that are less than two hectares in size, cultivating a diverse array of crops to sustain their families and generate income.
Jackfruit trees thrive in the homesteads of smallholder farmers, often planted near their houses rather than in their fields. The fruit serves multiple purposes: ripe jackfruit is cherished as a sweet treat for children, with a single fruit often satisfying an entire homestead. Leftover jackfruit is frequently fed to livestock, contributing to their nutrition. Adults also enjoy jackfruit as a tasty snack, sometimes purchasing small portions from local traders.
Due to the perishable nature of jackfruit and the lack of market access, farmers cannot consume all of the fruit, resulting in significant waste as some jackfruit overripens and falls to the ground. By creating a market for dehydrated jackfruit, we aim to reduce this waste and provide farmers with an additional source of income.
the company
Ofene ApS is a Danish start-up founded in 2024 by Githa Kurdahl and Christian Hoff.
We source young jackfruit from small-scale farmers in East Africa. By purchasing jackfruit that would otherwise go to waste, we provide the farmers with an additional income stream. The jackfruit is processed and dehydrated locally in Uganda, ensuring a high-quality, shelf-stable product that is lightweight and easy to transport.
The dehydration process significantly lowers the weight of the jackfruit, reducing shipping emissions by 80%. Furthermore, by offering a natural, plant-based alternative to meat, we support the growing movement towards sustainable and healthier eating habits.
To cater to the Scandinavian market, we customise the dehydrated jackfruit to fit local tastes and preferences. This involves conducting testing and tasting sessions with renowned Danish chefs and collaborating with food manufacturers and development studios in Denmark. The result is a product that appeals to the eco-conscious Scandinavian consumer and fits seamlessly into the Nordic culinary landscape.
the founders
The founders' friendship traces back to 2007 when they first met while studying Business and Development at Copenhagen Business School. Sharing a passion for microfinance and African entrepreneurship, their careers have developed in parallel over the last 15 years, ultimately leading them to join forces in creating Ofene to bring dehydrated jackfruit to the plant-based food industry in Scandinavia.
co-founder
Githa Kurdahl
Githa Kurdahl, a financial inclusion specialist, spent five years with the Danish start-up MYC4, building an online peer-to-peer lending platform to support small businesses in Africa. She then worked eight years with the value-based cooperative bank Oikos, and for the last two years she has been an independent freelancer focusing on social businesses and small NGOs with projects in various African countries. The common traits of Githa’s experience have been operations, business strategy, development of policies and procedures, implementation, and entrepreneurship.
co-founder
Christian Høegh-Guldberg Hoff
Christian Hoff, a dedicated social entrepreneur, founded the NGO Momentum Trust in 2011 with the goal of eradicating malnutrition and hunger through partnerships with small-scale farmers in Western Kenya. Momentum has successfully mobilised more than 5000 farmers, empowering them to improve their livelihoods. Recognising the critical need for market linkages, Christian expanded into commercial activities, facilitating the export of various produce such as chia, soy, and chili. Notably, Christian introduced chia, a completely new crop to the region, which has now become a staple for many farmers. With a natural flair for sales, Christian has over the years built and maintained an extensive sales network in Europe and particularly Scandinavia.
