TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tainan City Government said Monday that the city’s food products sold out at a Taiwan night market in Brisbane as it explored wider sales opportunities in Australia.
CNA reported that the two-day event at the University of Queensland drew about 12,000 people on the first day and 15,000 on the second. Visitors crowded the Tainan section for samples and purchases, and several products sold out before the event ended.
Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) said the event served as both a promotional campaign and a test of the Australian market. Direct sales and conversations with consumers gave businesses feedback on taste, packaging, and willingness to buy, he said.
Deputy Mayor Yeh Tse-shan (葉澤山), who led the delegation, said the night market had nearly 80 booths. It also featured Taiwanese cultural performances, including glove puppetry, lion dancing, and appearances by performers portraying the deity Nezha.
Products that sold out included Guanmiao noodles, fruit juice, dried fruit, health drinks, and tea eggs. Yeh said the strong sales showed that Tainan food products could attract Australian consumers.
However, Yeh said one-off promotional events would not be enough to establish a lasting presence in Australia. Tainan businesses need assistance from Taiwanese business groups and local partners familiar with consumer preferences, food import rules, and distribution networks, he said.
During the trip, the delegation met representatives of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in Australia, the Queensland Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, and Taiwanese businesses. City officials also contacted an importer and wholesaler specializing in Asian foods and discussed possible distribution arrangements for Tainan products.
The city government said the talks moved the campaign beyond food sampling and direct sales toward possible import, agency, and long-term distribution agreements. It plans to use feedback from the trip to help Tainan companies adjust their products and overseas marketing strategies.
Officials are also considering further product displays and tastings when the Oceania Federation of Taiwan Chambers of Commerce holds a meeting in Tainan on Sept. 20. The city hopes to build on opportunities developed during the Australia trip.
The delegation also met Queensland Senator Paul Scarr, Brisbane City Council Deputy Chair Steven Huang, and representatives of the Taiwanese community. Yeh said overseas Taiwanese communities can help strengthen local government ties and business cooperation between Tainan and Australia.
