Japan has replaced China as the world’s top importer of Taiwanese fruit, taking in 46.2 percent of the nation’s fruit exports, Council of Agriculture data showed.
Taiwan has over the past two years seen a shift in its target export markets, moving away from China and toward the US and Japan.
Produce exports to Japan grew by US$850 million, or 11 percent, council data showed.
Photo: Wu Chun-feng, Taipei Times
China had traditionally imported more than 80 percent of Taiwan’s produce.
To capitalize on the export shift, the council is planning new distribution methods in Japan, such as installing vending machines that sell Taiwanese fruit, a council employee said yesterday.
As most Japanese supermarkets close at 8pm, many have vending machines on their premises for people who cannot get to the store before closing time, and these venues could be opportunities for Taiwanese goods, the source said.
With China’s near-total suspension of imports of Taiwanese produce, alcohol and seafood, Taiwan is focusing more on Japan for export development.
Pineapple exports to Japan last year were valued at US$24.05 million, up 5.8 percent from 2021, while Japan imported 93 tonnes of pomeloes and other fruits from Taiwan, nearly doubling previous amounts, the council said.
Tea exports to Japan also grew to 600 tonnes, up 26 percent year-on-year, while soybean oil increased to 10,238 tonnes last year, with a value of US$15.61 million, council data showed.
The council’s International Division said it recently signed an agreement with the Japanese produce chain Wismettac Foods to annually import 3,500 tonnes of fresh pineapples, 100 tonnes of frozen pineapples and 1,500 tonnes of bananas.
Agricultural imports from the US last year reached US$4.65 billion, council data showed.
About US$1.71 billion of soybeans and other oil seeds were sourced from the US, marking a shift away from Russian supply.
Taiwan also imported US$2.1 billion worth of chicken meat from the US last year, a 31.2 percent increase from 2021, it added.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS