Taiwan pineapples are to be exported to the US for the first time later this year, after the US yesterday announced importation requirements, the Ministry of Agriculture said today.
The US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service yesterday published a draft of requirements to import Taiwanese pineapples, with a 62-day comment period, the ministry said in a news release.
The US maintains strict requirements for imported fresh fruit, it said.
Photo: Ritchie B. Tongo, EPA-EFE
The ministry’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency applied to export pineapples to the US in 2020 and has since cooperated with the US to provide all the necessary information and reports, it said.
The US is concerned about the oriental fruit fly and mealybug caterpillar, but agreed that pineapples with more than 50 percent Cauyenne genetics do not host the oriental fruit fly, the ministry said.
These pineapples, which include the golden diamond and mango pineapple varieties, do not need special quarantine treatments, it said.
Pineapple is a flagship export fruit for Taiwan, the ministry said.
Taiwanese pineapples come in many varieties and are supplied year-round, as farmers utilize different varieties and production methods, it said.
They are currently exported to more than 10 countries including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, it said.
Last year 16,892 tonnes of pineapples worth NT$750 million (US$23.62 million) were exported, it added.
The ministry is offering export incentives and encouraging farmers and exporters to expand into the US market, it said.
Using the experience and resources of Taiwan’s overseas offices, it would run marketing activities to help businesses build partnerships with US buyers and expand Taiwanese pineapple sales there, it added.
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