A record 132 Taiwan companies are showcasing products at Foodex Japan 2018 March 6-9 in Chiba, spotlighting the diversity and quality of the country’s agricultural goods, according to the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture.
Co-organized by the COA, Ministry of Economic Affairs and government-supported Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the Taiwan Pavilion spans 125 booths displaying goods ranging from crackers, honey and pastries to soy sauce and kaoliang—a signature Taiwan liquor made from sorghum. It also features four themed areas highlighting bubble milk tea, Taiwan beer made with homegrown fruits, halal products and locally grown jujube, a sweet apple-shaped fruit.
The latter section comprises the first batch of Taiwan jujube exported to the country since Japanese authorities granted import approval at the end of 2016. Other attractions at the pavilion included a seminar on Taiwan oolong tea staged March 6.
COA Minister Lin Tsung-hsien said participation in the show, one of the largest exhibitions of its kind in Asia, provides a great opportunity to strengthen international recognition of the nation’s food production sector. The government is committed to ensuring the industry’s long-term success through raising its visibility overseas as well as implementing a host of other support measures in areas spanning food safety, quality control and agricultural training, he added.
Agritourism is an emerging industry segment targeted for strategic promotion, Lin said, noting that a number of booths are designed to spur interest in sampling Taiwan delicacies at their source and exploring the nation’s cultural and natural attractions.
According to the COA, the government is also working to bolster the international appeal of local food products through promoting sustainable practices and encouraging growers to gain certifications from such organizations as the Netherlands-headquartered Aquaculture Stewardship Council. These efforts are expected to help pave the way for the inclusion of Taiwan fish in goods developed for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, the council added.
Japan is the second largest destination for Taiwan agricultural and fishery products, accounting for 17.5 percent of exports, totaling US$870.1 million, in 2017. (CPY-E)
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