TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Agriculture said it has diversified agricultural exports to mitigate risks and uncertainties in the Chinese market, urging China to resume Taiwan’s agricultural exports that were previously suspended, CNA reported.
After KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) led a delegation on a six-day visit to China through Sunday, the Chinese government announced 10 new measures that it said were aimed at boosting cross-strait ties.
One measure is to establish a mechanism to facilitate the import of Taiwan’s agricultural and fishery products. It also includes support for Taiwan’s participation in trade fairs in China to expand business opportunities there.
In response, the ministry said China has repeatedly suspended imports of Taiwan’s agricultural and fishery products without prior notice or communication. It added that such practices do not comply with international trade norms, noting the Chinese market is highly uncertain.
Since June 2022, China has suspended imports of Taiwan grouper. Under the Cross-Strait Cooperation Agreement on Quarantine and Inspection of Agricultural Products, the ministry said it has provided China with farming management measures and a list of approved export farms to resume exports, but China has not responded to date.
The ministry said it will continue to support efforts to improve grouper quality through scientific management and cold-chain infrastructure. It also plans to strengthen exports to markets including the US, Canada, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
The ministry said the value of Taiwan’s agricultural exports to markets outside China rose from NT$124.8 billion (US$3.9 billion) in 2021 to NT$144 billion last year. The share of Taiwan’s fruit and vegetable exports to China fell from 73% in 2019 to 1.3% in 2022 following China’s suspension of imports. After China resumed imports of some Taiwanese produce, the share rose to 12.6% last year.
From 2019 to 2020, more than 90% of Taiwan’s pineapple exports went to China. However, China has suspended imports since March 2021, claiming quarantine concerns.
To address this, the ministry said it has expanded efforts to develop alternative markets, particularly Japan and Singapore. Pineapple exports to Japan rose from 2,160 tonnes in 2020 to 16,000 tonnes last year, making it Taiwan’s largest pineapple export market.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Tu Wen-jane (杜文珍) said the ministry supports Taiwan’s agricultural exports to China, but noted that China’s previous suspensions have significantly affected Taiwan’s agricultural sector. She added that the ministry will continue to monitor the details of the new measures.
