According to Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Chi-chung, annual exports of Taiwanese pineapples could reach 30,000 tons by the end of this year, with the majority heading to Japan. Japan imported 18,000 tons of pineapples from Taiwan last year after China unexpectedly banned the fruit as part of a trade dispute. So far this year, Taiwan has exported 1,832 tons of pineapples, 1,742 of which were sent to Japan.
Taiwan also exported 2 tons of pineapples to Kuwait; the first time Taiwan has exported fruit to the Middle East.
Japan has ordered 20,000 tons of Taiwanese pineapples so far this year, Agriculture and Food Agency Director-General Hu Jong-i said. “There is demonstrable demand in Japan for Taiwanese fruit. Some importers there have increased their orders after seeing how well the fruit is selling. One Japanese importer who ordered 137 tons last year ordered 852 tons this year.”
“In Japan, Taiwanese fruit is subject to a 17 percent tariff. Fruit from the Philippines is much cheaper,” he said. “If Japanese are choosing Taiwanese fruit over domestic fruit or that from the Philippines, it really speaks to the quality of our fruit.”
Source: taipeitimes.com