To expand Taiwan fruit exports to the mainland Chinese market, the Council of Agriculture (COA) sponsored a press conference on September 15, 2010 at the Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai to introduce delicious Taiwan fruits to mainland Chinese consumers. Representatives from such companies selling Taiwan fruits in China as Ganso, Dream Park and Fruit Taiwan Corporation and distributors as Taipei County Farmers Association and Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Co. were invited to attend the press conference. And reporters from dozens of mainland Chinese and Taiwan media, including Shanghai Television and Taiwan’s Central News Agency, were deeply impressed by the efforts of Taiwan government has made to upgrade the quality of Taiwan fruits and promote their exports. The press conference was the first promotional activity sponsored jointly by the government and private companies and it is expected to make Taiwan fruits items in great demand in Shanghai and help expand export channels.

“ Taiwan Fruit and Vegetable Day” Promotes Sales

Fruit Exports to Mainland China Expected to Set Record at 8,000 Tons

Since the government opened direct cross-strait shipping and flight in December 2009, Taiwan has become the country which is closest to the mainland Chinese market, creating the good opportunity to export fresh Taiwan agricultural products to mainland China . In 2009 fresh Taiwan fruit exports to mainland China totaled US$5.15 million, 2.2 times that of 2008. And fresh Taiwan fruit exports to China between January and August 2010 totaled US$7.21 million, an increase of 127% over the same period last year, demonstrating the effects of direct cross-strait flight. To further promote Taiwan fruit exports to the mainland Chinese market, the COA chose to begin the “Taiwan Fruit and Vegetable Day” promotional activities this year in Shanghai, whose citizens have the highest spending power in China, and sell Taiwan fruits at the same time in cooperation with more than 150 companies, including Ganso, 7-11 supermarket and Lin Lian Fruits. Pomelo packages as the Mid-Autumn Festival gift were the major item of Taiwan fruits being promoted first in Shanghai . Such winter fruits as grapefruit, sugar apple, guava, carambola, persimmon, papaya, jujube and wax apple will be sold in China later. According to statistics, pomelo exports to China totaled 512 tons so far this year, far exceeding the 275 tons exported last year. It is estimated that Taiwan fruit exports to China can reach 8,000 tons this year, expecting to set another new record.

The COA said it will continue sponsoring promotional activities for Taiwan fruits in China and other targeted overseas markets, using exported excellent agricultural products to demonstrate the soft power of Taiwan’s quality agriculture, enhance foreign consumers’ awareness and acceptance of Taiwan agricultural products so as to increase both quantity and value of Taiwan fruit exports and farmers’ earnings.