The first batch of Taiwan butterfly orchids transported to Australia potted in a growing medium safely arrived at its destination Sept. 13, according to the Council of Agriculture.
The COA said Australia’s decision to allow entry to the flower species shipped in this manner, which came Jan. 6, 2011, following four years of negotiations, marks a breakthrough in Taiwan’s efforts to expand its butterfly orchid sales in the southern hemisphere.
“This illustrates that Taiwan butterfly orchids have received international recognition, and could mark a milestone in overseas sales of the flowers,” COA Minister Chen Wu-hsiung said Sept. 14.
The council said that previously, Australia had required that butterfly orchids entering the country be transported bare-root, and undergo three months of quarantine and inspection after gaining entry.
Taiwan Orchid Growers Association data shows that the survival rate of butterfly orchids transported bare-root is only 50 percent to 90 percent, with a recovery period after shipment of two months, and air transport costs of NT$30 (US$1.02) to NT$35 per plant.
The survival rate jumps to over 95 percent for butterfly orchids transported in a growing medium, and the recovery period is shortened to just three weeks. In addition, they can be shipped by sea, thereby cutting transport costs to just NT$4 to NT$5 per plant, according to the association.
Statistics support the COA’s belief that Australia’s decision will help boost Taiwan butterfly orchid sales to the country. In the six years after the U.S. began allowing the import of the flowers shipped in a growing medium, Taiwan butterfly orchid exports there increased roughly two-fold to US$82.55 million last year.
Chen stressed that to further expand overseas sales, the council would continue to negotiate with other countries to allow for the import of Taiwan butterfly orchids shipped in a growing medium. To date, Canada, the European Union, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea have also granted such approval. (SB)