The Japanese have been showing support for Taiwan by buying Taiwan’s pineapples. That’s after China announced a ban on Taiwan’s pineapple imports beginning March 1. Taiwan usually produces about 430,000 tons of pineapples with 12% being exported and China accounting for 97% of Taiwan’s export market.
Taiwan’s representative to Japan Frank Hsieh said that the Japanese have been very supportive in the recent crisis. Japan saw a record high purchase of 6,000 tons of Taiwan pineapples after the Chinese ban was announced.
Hsieh said that Taiwan needs long-term planning to resolve its fruit export challenges. Many of Taiwan’s pineapples, bananas and other fruit come from small farms that may not be able to provide a stable supply. Currently, Japanese have put in orders for pineapples that will be harvested between March and June. If the harvest is not big enough, they will not be able to meet the orders.
Hsieh also said that Taiwan’s fruit exports face the challenges of strong competition from countries such as the Philippines. The Philippines does not have to pay tariffs in Japan because it is not a developed country and it enjoys benefits under the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership (RCEP).
Hsieh cited that Taiwan’s golden diamond pineapple is delicious but it could see competition from China’s Hainan Island which also produces them. Hsieh said that the government should take measures to prevent Taiwan’s agricultural know-how from being taken by other countries.