Suppliers set out ambitions for fruit exports to UK at NCGM tasting event, following first shipments of lychees and mangoes in July
Taiwanese exporters say they are looking to expand fruit exports to the UK after partnering with Warrington-based importer Cherrain Global to gain a foothold in Britain’s wholesale sector.
The ambition was outlined during a tasting event at New Covent Garden Market’s (NCGM) Buyer’s Walk on 30 July, where UK wholesalers were invited to evaluate a selection of premium Taiwanese fruit.
The tasting showcased a new range of premium Taiwanese fruits to UK wholesalers, including premium Arus melon, three distinctive mango varieties, wax apples, dragon fruit, pink guava, pineapple, passion fruit, and other seasonal produce.
The tasting follows a UK market breakthrough for Tawainese fruit in early July when a shipment of Irwin mangoes and black-leaf lychees arrived at Manchester Airport, marking Taiwan’s first official export of the two types of fruit to Britain.
The shipment was imported by Cherrain Global, with Taiwan’s Sunray International coordinating production, logistics and export procedures.
Along with Cherrain Global, the tasting at NCGM was put on by a Taiwan Agricultural Export Integration Platform, which works closely with local agriculture bureaus, farmers’ associations and growers across Taiwan to bring high-quality Taiwanese agricultural products to international markets.
San Cheng, of Taiwan Agricultural Export Integration Platform, had toured the market a week earlier and wanted to meet as many of the wholesalers as possible, to establish direct relationships.
She said: “Taiwan has a wide range of distinctive seasonal fruits and agricultural products. We are currently building and integrating the supply chain and sales channels from Taiwan’s production areas through to the UK market.
“We hope this will be the beginning of introducing more distinctive Taiwanese agricultural products to UK professional buyers, wholesalers, restaurants, hotels and retailers.”
The UK push forms part of Taiwan’s broader strategy to grow exports to Europe following the EU’s decision to open its market to Taiwanese lychees, dragon fruit and other fresh produce in June 2025.
Cheng said: “Taiwanese Irwin mangoes have recently entered the French premium retail market, including Galeries Lafayette, while Golden Diamond pineapples and red-heart guavas were among the products we introduced to the UK earlier this year.
“Taiwanese Irwin mangoes and lychees subsequently introduced to the UK have also received encouraging market feedback.”
