Pacts set to boost Taichung flower exports to Japan

2017/03/09

Two Taiwan flower industry associations signed memorandums of understanding on exports with Japanese dealers March 7 in Tokyo, underscoring the strengthening economic relationships between Taiwan and the neighboring nation.

The Chinese Development Association of Oncidium Production and Marketing, based in southern Taiwan’s Chiayi County, inked a pact with Japanese dealer Suikoh Topline Co. for boosting exports of Oncidium orchids, also called dancing girl orchids, from central Taiwan’s Taichung City. A second accord, which paves the way for increased shipments of Taichung-grown lilies to Japan, was signed between Taichung’s Tun Nan Cooperative Farm and Japanese dealer Greenpacks Corp.

According to the Taichung City Government’s Agriculture Bureau, Japan is an important market for Taichung’s flowers, with 80 percent of the city’s exported Oncidium orchids—worth approximately NT$150 million (US$4.85 million)—going to the neighboring country last year. Both agreements are meant to further broaden the distribution channels in Japan for flowers from Taichung, increase growers’ incomes, balance supply and demand during harvest booms and stabilize prices of the flowers in the Taiwan market.

“Oncidium orchids and lilies are Taichung’s most recognizable flower species. Hopefully the signing of the pacts will further popularize them in Japan, which can in turn attract more Japanese tourists to Taiwan and the 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition,” said Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung at the signing ceremony for the deals. The exposition is scheduled to run from Nov. 3, 2018, to Apr. 24, 2019.

James C. F. Huang, chairman of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, also attended the event along with Taiwan’s representative to Japan Frank Hsieh. “Central Taiwan is a major flower cultivation area, and this signing ceremony is an important milestone in the cooperative relationship between Taiwan and Japan,” Huang said.

Huang noted Japan is currently the second largest export market for Taiwan-grown flowers, with export value to the country reaching US$25 million last year. According to Taichung City Government’s Agriculture Bureau, a total of 260 hectares of farmland around Taiwan are devoted to Oncidium orchid cultivation, of which 101 hectares are in Taichung. More than 320 hectares are devoted to lily cultivation, with 221 hectares located in the central Taiwan city.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=6&post=112320)