The Council of Agriculture (COA) said the export of Taiwan agricultural products totaled US$3.99 billion in 2010, increasing 16.1% from US$3.43 billion in 2009. As of the end of July, the value of Taiwan agricultural product exports totaled US$2.72 billion in 2011, a growth of 21% as compared with the same period of 2010. And the export of grouper, eel and Phalaenopsis orchid this year increased by more than US$10 million over the same period of last year, demonstrating both the export boom and greater international competitiveness of Taiwan agricultural products.

Export Value of Eel and Grouper, Main Export Items of Taiwan Aquatic Products, Grows Significantly

Eel and grouper have been the main species of domestic fish farming and their export values in 2011 as of the end of July were US$15.48 million and US$70.3 million respectively, growing 27.3% and 87.5% as compared with the same period of last year. Especially for the grouper industry, which has benefited from the fact that Taiwan owns key grouper breeding techniques and has appropriate climate for fish farming as well as cross-strait direct transportation, live fish shipping which is included in the early harvest list of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with China, the export of grouper to China as of the end of July this year had an increase of 391% over the same period of 2010. And the output value of grouper is expected to reach NT$7.6 billion in 2013.

Impressive Performance of Phalaenopsis Orchid Exports

Since Taiwanhas accumulated considerable capacities in the fields of breeding new varieties of Phalaenopsis orchid and its growing technology and long-range shipping techniques, plus the fact that the United Statesagreed to accept Taiwan Phalaenopsis orchids with medium in 2005, Americareplaced Japanin 2008 to become Taiwan ’s No.1 Phalaenopsis orchid export market for the first time. Even during the global financial crisis in 2009, Taiwan still increased both the volume and value of Phalaenopsis orchid exports. The export of Phalaenopsis orchids totaled US$82.55 million in 2010, an increase of 31.7% over 2009. As of the end of July this year the value of Taiwan Phalaenopsis orchid exports grew by 24.4% as compared with the same period of last year, and its export value in 2011 is expected to increase to US$100 million.

Exports of Papaya, Mango and Pineapple Increase Continuously

As of the end of July this year the export value of mango, one of Taiwan’s major fruit exports, totaled US$13.34 million, growing 18% from the same period of 2010.Even though the export of mango to Japan had been adversely affected temporarily by the March 11 Tohoku Earthquake, the COA, through the implementation of safety management system for exports to Japan and the sponsoring of “Taiwan Vegetable and Fruit Day” promotional activities, has successfully increased the export of Taiwan mango to Japan so far this year to US$8.21 million, a growth of 26.3%.

The exports of Taiwan papaya and pineapple have grown steadily in recent years and the value of papaya and pineapple exports totaled US$440,000 and US$2.34 million respectively as of the end of July this year, representing an increase of 82% and 57% over the same period of 2010, noted the Council. And the demand for Taiwanpapaya and pineapple in such major export markets as mainland Chinaand Hong Konghas also grown continuously.

Export of Vegetable Soybean Increases Steadily

The COA explained that to promote the Edamame, vegetable soybean, exporters have for many years actively developed and protected new varieties of vegetable soybean, established export production zones and the system of contracted production, introduced standardized production management as well as production and products traceability in line with international norms, and used “Taiwan Vegetable Soybean Certification Label” as the export brand name to promote distribution channels and export markets through promotional activities. As of the end of July this year the export of Taiwan vegetable soybean totaled US$41.31 million, an increase of 9% over the same period of last year.

With an aim to “keep a foothold in Taiwan and deploy throughout the world,” the Council has implemented the “Plan to Strengthen the Deep Plowing of Global Market for Agricultural Products,” stressed the COA, adding that it will continue enhancing the visibility and export volume and value of Taiwan agricultural products in the international market through participating in international exhibitions held in potential markets, sponsoring promotional activities in cooperation with distribution channels in targeted markets, setting the bases for long-term propaganda and store sale, and inviting foreign buyers to Taiwan to see the whole production and processing process of the high quality products and negotiate the trade affairs. (2011-08-23 )