Taiwan's mango exporters have enjoyed a strong start to the year, with sales during the first six months of the year increasing by 183.6 per cent to 2,017 tonnes, down from 711 tonnes in the corresponding period of 2008.
Fruit value has also jumped this year, with mango exports totalling US$5.24m through the January-June period, up from US$3.25m last year.
Officials in the country are now hoping that a successful July – considered to be the strongest month for the country's mango exports – will help the country surpass 2008's record total yearly export value of US$10.05m (for 3,307 tonnes), according to Taiwan News Online.
This would continue a steady upward curve in value over the past three years, from 2,703 tonnes of mangoes at a value of US$4.27m in 2006 and 4,838 tonnes worth US$9.82m in 2007.
Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore remain the largest markets by volume for Taiwan-exported mangoes, a position that they have held since 2006, taking on 586 tonnes (US$362,000), 520 tonnes (US$3m) and 477 tonnes (US$408,000) respectively.
One downside, however, is the fall in average export price, attributed to the devaluation of the South Korean won. Despite being only the fourth-largest importer of Taiwan's mangoes, South Korea pays a higher price per unit for the fruit.
