Authorities detail plans to increase volumes of export-suitable cultivars, with US market access on the horizon
Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture has celebrated the successful development of pineapple exports as the industry targets breakthroughs in new markets.
According to a report from the Taipei Times, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Hu Jong-i said Taiwan has been exploring alternative markets after China banned pineapple exports.
The latest efforts have focused on Australia and New Zealand, with a ministry delegation visiting both countries to assess the markets and the supply chains needed to facilitate exports.
Hu said the delegation found that local cold chains needed two weeks to move Taiwanese pineapples from customs to consumer shelves, limiting which varieties were suitable for trade.
The ministry’s experts selected the “mango pineapple” cultivar because cold storage improves its taste. To further support export growth, the ministry aims to boost mango pineapple production from the current 50ha to over 1,000ha in the coming years.
Hu said the ministry’s experience in Australia and New Zealand could benefit Taiwan’s bid to export to the US market. Taiwan hopes to secure access soon and send its first shipment of pineapples in 2027.
Japan is Taiwan’s largest market for pineapple exports, and the ministry said it is working to facilitate export growth here as well. The ministry has successfully negotiated with Japanese importers to extend the average contract length to five years from the current 18 months, giving Taiwanese growers more security.
