Taiwan’s emerging pineapple industry is hoping to grow its presence on a global scale, following its first shipment to the Canadian market, according to the China Post. The 6.8 tonne shipment, made up of fruit grown in the Guanmiao District, departed Tainan City on Tuesday.
With Taiwanese export volumes climbing from 584 tonnes in 2006 to 4,890 tonnes last season, Tainan mayor Lai Ching-te said the industry was well positioned to capitalise on a growing international demand for pineapple.
“We are hoping that the increasing demand at home and abroad will drive up the price of pineapples,” Lai told the China Post.
China and Japan remain the key markets for the Taiwanese industry, absorbing 90 per cent of exported volumes, according to the Taiwan Agriculture and Food Agency. In February, the agency forecast pineapple exports would rise above 5,000 tonnes for the first time this season, improving on returns of NT$142m (US$4.73m) recorded last year.
