The first batch of duty-free Taiwanese fruit was put on display at Beijing's Juntai Department Store yesterday, accompanied by a frenzied media circus.
Reporters from Beijing's print and electronic media swarmed to the store to take a look at Taiwan's star fruit, wax apples and other varieties. At one point, reporters outnumbered customers.
Employees were on hand to explain to curious Beijingers how to enjoy custard apples and wax apples. People were delighted by the salespeople's promotional efforts as well as the fruit itself.
Lu Zhengyu, manager of the Chunlin Import Company, said recent typhoons and the start of Ghost Month yesterday had driven up prices at the source, shrinking his profit margin.
In the seventh lunar month, demand for fruit usually goes up in Taiwan as it is a custom to offer fruit and other food to "ghost brothers" in the hope that they will not disturb humans.
The Juntai Department Store began promoting Taiwanese fruit two days ago and will continue for a few more days, Lu said.
Lu said sales of Taiwanese fruit in Beijing had been "better than expected." Juntai's first day sales exceeded 15,000 yuan (US$1,888), and over 50,000 yuan-worth is expected to be sold by tomorrow.
The company said zero-tariff treatment for the fruit had not made it any less expensive around Beijing.
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