Exports of Taiwan-grown rice to Japan are expected to see double growth to exceed 10,000 metric tons this year, according to Agricultural Minister Chen Junne-jih June 9 in northern Taiwan’s Hsinchu County.
Chen made the remarks at a container sealing ceremony in the Hukou Township. The batch of rice from Hukou Farmers’ Association in collaboration with Sun Da Rice International Co., Ltd., will be sold in Japanese supermarkets in small packages.
According to Chen, Taiwan-grown rice is similar to Japanese grains in terms of variety, cultivation, quality and taste, giving it competitive strength in the Japanese market. The MOA encourages businesses to further expand their markets by hosting business matching event with Japanese distributors, offering resources for overseas marketing and assisting domestic food providers to participate in Foodex Japan, he said, adding that Taiwan-grown rice exported to Japan from January to May totaled 7,759 metric tons, more than six times that of the same period last year.
The minister went on to say that this year the ministry is encouraging farmers’ associations and food providers to sign contracts with agricultural producers at prices better than the market average. Agricultural workers’ income and quality of life are also protected through initiatives such as introducing verification of production and sales records and income insurance schemes.
Standards for rice exports to Japan are stringent and must pass 608 pesticide residue inspections in alignment with international standards. Domestic-grown rice market competitiveness is enhanced by both consistent processing management and promotion by farmers’ associations and food providers, Chen noted. Taiwan rice successfully accessed Japan’s small package market in the second half of last year.
The MOA is committed to expanding into emerging markets such as Australia, North America and Southeast Asia to promote export-oriented transformation and a sustainable export supply chain in the rice industry, it added. (YCH-E)
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