Taiwan sees growth in chilled fruit and pork exports in 2024

2024年台灣冷藏水果及豬肉出口成長

Chilled fruit exports rise 30%, fresh pork exports increase sixfold


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Agriculture said Tuesday that Taiwan's exports of chilled fruit grew by 30% last year, while fresh pork exports increased sixfold, CNA reported.

Last year, Taiwan exported 1.9 million tonnes of agricultural products, with a total export value of NT$157.44 billion (US$4.92 billion). Pineapples were approved for import into New Zealand last April with zero tariffs, and exports to Japan reached a record 19,300 tonnes last year. The ministry said that it will assist farmers in expanding pineapple exports through variety improvement, product traceability management, and export quarantine procedures.

The ministry said that Taiwan lychees were exported to New Zealand for the first time last year, while mango exports have grown annually since entering the New Zealand market in 2021. Chen Tzu-wei (陳子偉), secretary-general of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, added the government plans to expand guava exports to the same market.

Taiwan dragon fruit was exported to Japan for the first time last July, and grouper followed in February, the ministry said. In April, Taiwanese pork returned to the Singaporean market after a 15-year hiatus. Taiwan's pork exports were suspended by many countries after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2009.

The ministry said the growth in Taiwan’s agricultural exports was mainly due to the high international recognition of its food safety and quarantine management. From January to July last year, Taiwan exported 408 tonnes of pork to the Philippines, about 17 times more than the total exported in 2023.

The World Organization for Animal Health recognized Taiwan as free of African swine fever last October. It is expected to grant Taiwan free status for classical swine fever in May. The ministry said that once this status is confirmed, the nation will become the first Asian country to be free of three major swine diseases.

In response to the impact of US tariff policies on Taiwan’s agriculture, the ministry held 14 forums in April. The agency added that it plans to invest NT$18 billion to boost the visibility of Taiwan’s agricultural products and to develop diversified export markets.