“The event’s target this year is to generate around US$100 million of orders for delivery over the next few years,” Lee Tsang-yu, chairman of Taiwan Orchid Growers Association, said March 11. Last year’s show resulted in NT$2.4 billion (US$69 million) worth of orders.
The fair, which took place at the Taiwan Orchid Plantation in Tainan County’s Houbi Township March 7-16, was jointly hosted by Tainan County Government and Taiwan External Trade Development Council, and supervised by the association.
“We have prize-winning orchids and many others on display, with foreign buyers and participants reaching an all-time high,” said the association’s secretary-general, Richard Lin. Regardless of the weak economy, the trade fair attracted over 3,000 foreign visitors and buyers from 32 countries, including Japan, the Netherlands, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States. Thailand sent the largest group with over 100 buyers. Only 24 nations were represented at last year’s event.
Professional exhibitors and amateur growers presented more than 200,000 orchids, of which 1,500 were entered into competition. Last year, 170,000 plants were displayed at the show and only 1,103 orchids competed. With a larger quantity of better quality flowers on show, this year’s event attracted 280,000 visitors, compared to the 200,000 registered in 2008, the secretary-general said. The exhibition area was also expanded by over 300 square meters and a large flower nursery was added.
Among the plants on display, the Phalaenopsis Taisuco Anna “Taisuco K71303” won first prize in the medium-sized Phalaenopsis orchids category at the 2009 Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival last month. This kind of plant is popular because its two stems can each carry up to 10 blossoms. Commonly known as moth orchid, it is grown by state-run Taiwan Sugar Corp. which believes in its high commercial potential. Stella Yuan, chief executive officer of TSC’s Agriculture Business Division, said in a telephone interview March 10 that her company’s horticultural products are enjoying a warm response. “We have received orders for the ‘Taisuco K71303’ orchid from Japan and are expecting more,” she pointed out. Besides greenhouses at home, the company also established orchid nurseries in the United States, Canada and Costa Rica.
Meanwhile, a Paphiopedilum orchid dubbed “lady’s slipper” won the grand prize at this year’s Taiwan show. Paphiopedilum Michael Koopwitz “JW-Dragon” outperformed other contestants with its eye-catching petals that can grow up to 50-60 centimeters long. The plant has three stems, each carrying five blossoms on average.
Tainan County Magistrate Su Huan-chih said the trade show emphasizes the government’s commitment to assisting local flower growers in seeking contracts and enhancing Taiwan orchids’ presence and competitiveness worldwide.
The Taiwan International Orchid Show, Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival and the World Orchid Conference are among the major events in the international orchid community. Lin said that Taiwan exported US$80 million worth of orchids in 2007, accounting for 75 percent of the island’s total US$106-million flower exports. Main markets include the United States, Japan and the Netherlands.
Write to Adela Lin at adela2009 @mail.gio.gov.tw