Taiwan has shipped its first batch of pomeloes to Malaysia following approval of market access last year. A total of 3.6 tons cleared Malaysian customs on Friday.
According to Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, Taiwan-grown pomeloes are already exported to Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines. The agency began applying for Malaysian market access in 2023, providing data on climate suitability, pests and diseases, and post-harvest handling. Nearly two years of negotiations and supplementary documentation were required before approval was granted.
In November 2024, Malaysia authorised imports of Taiwanese pomeloes under the condition that shipments carry an import permit and a quarantine certificate issued by the agency. The first batch, certified by the agency's Kaohsiung branch on Sept. 7, was shipped by sea and arrived in Malaysia on Thursday. It cleared customs the following day after inspectors confirmed the fruit was free of pests and diseases of concern.
Separately, the Agriculture and Food Agency organised a fruit-based beverage competition to promote local produce. Drink shop operators were required to use at least one of four designated fruits: Guava, banana, avocado, or dragon fruit.
Among the 31 entries from 16 participants, "Banana Dopamine" by Ding Go Tea (叮哥茶飲) won the Popularity Award in a blind tasting of 20 people, blending banana and guava juice with a probiotic milk drink. Deputy Director-General Chen Chi-jung (陳啟榮) said the competition aimed to diversify sales channels and increase the value of Taiwanese fruit through collaboration with hand-shaken drink shops.
Eight products were selected by the judging panel based on local ties, market potential, flavour, and mouthfeel. Most of these beverages are expected to be available in chain outlets by next month.
To encourage sales, vendors that use 2 tons of locally grown fruit in their drinks will receive a NT$20,000 (US$618) bonus, with an additional NT$10,000 (US$309) for every extra ton. The incentives are expected to generate more than 100,000 servings of fruit-based hand-shaken drinks, Chen said.
Source: Taipei Times