Taiwan’s jujubes set to take SKorea by storm

2019/11/28

Taiwan-cultivated jujubes are set to take South Korea by storm following the recent greenlighting of the high-quality agricultural product for import by the Northeast Asian country’s Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency.
 
 The decision, which was made Nov. 22 following implementation of a specialized treatment technique advanced by the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture, positions Taiwan as the only country in the world to enjoy such market access. The 12-day treatment involves reducing the warehoused temperature for the fruit to maximum 1 C, eliminating the possibility of fruit fly or larvae infestation.
 
 According to the COA, the move—similar to the one adopted by Japan in December 2016—is welcomed by the government and the people. It also promises to significantly improve the bottom lines of local jujube growers and fruit exporters, the council said.
 
 Taiwan’s jujubes are prized the world over for consumer-pleasing shapes, sizes and flavors, the COA said, adding that extended harvest period from December to April creates more export opportunities for sector participants countrywide.
 
 The fruit is shipped to countries and territories like Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates and China without quarantine or inspection, the council added.
 
 Latest statistics from Customs Administration under the Ministry of Finance reveals that exports of Taiwan-produced jujubes totaled 440 metric tons in 2018. Top destinations were China, 400 tons; Canada, 12 tons; and Singapore, 11 tons.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)