TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) said that Taiwan’s agricultural product exports to Japan reached NT$20 billion (US$630 million) last year, making Japan Taiwan’s second-largest overseas market and a key gateway to premium markets.
Taiwan’s agricultural exports to Japan include tuna, edamame, pineapples, orchids, rice, and saury, among other products, per CNA. In 2024, Taiwan exported 19,373 tonnes of pineapples to Japan, setting a record.
The ministry said it has supported domestic agricultural producers in adopting cold-chain technology and developing processed products. Taiwanese pineapples have also been included in some school lunches in Japan for more than seven years, the ministry noted.
The ministry and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council will lead 194 Taiwanese agricultural producers to participate in Foodex Japan in Tokyo from Tuesday to Friday. The expo is an annual food and beverage trade show, serving as a platform for global industry players to connect with buyers, showcase new products, and explore industry trends.
The council said that Japan is also Taiwan’s third-largest food import market, noting the complementary relationship of the Taiwan-Japan food supply chain. Taiwan’s envoy to Japan, Lee I-yang (李逸洋), added that Taiwan exported NT$1.57 billion worth of edamame to Japan last year, accounting for 70% of Taiwan’s total edamame exports.
The ministry noted that it will set up a seafood section at Taiwan’s pavilion and hold promotional activities during the event. Chen added that he will lead a delegation to visit Japanese retail channels, aiming to boost the presence of Taiwanese agricultural products.
On Monday, Kaze to Hikari Co., a Japanese importer of organic agricultural products, signed a cooperation agreement with Joyful Spring Co., a Taiwanese sauce company. The partnership is expected to increase the market share of Taiwanese sauces in Japan.
The ministry said the collaboration will allow the Taiwanese company to apply Japanese organic certification labels at its production sites. This will save time and costs by avoiding relabeling products in Japan and significantly improve customs clearance.
The ministry has also signed an agreement with Japan to streamline the export process for Taiwanese organic agricultural products, Chen added. He said the partnership highlights Taiwan and Japan’s joint efforts to promote organic agriculture and strengthen agricultural ties.
