The EU's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) has approved Taiwan's application to export mangoes and guavas to the entire EU, following a lengthy suspension. The Ministry of Agriculture stated that Taiwan was previously listed as a region with endemic quarantine pests such as Oriental and melon flies, leading to a ban on exporting these fruits directly to EU states.
Deputy Director-General Du Li-hua explained the situation by noting, "Multiple submissions were made to resume exports to Europe, culminating in an application last year which included documentation related to exports to other nations, such as Japan, South Korea, and the US." An example of such compliance is the requirement for mangoes to undergo steam heating at 46.5°C for at least 30 minutes to assure no living larval eggs or pupae remain.
The agency commits to exploring various quarantine measures aimed at conforming to the EU's fruit import guidelines, with an emphasis on fruits like tangerines, which currently lack approval due to ongoing concerns about citrus canker.
While acknowledging the significant market potential in Europe, Taiwan's guavas are now available in the US, Canada, China, and several other regions. The ministry highlights strategies like "Precision marketing and premium product positioning" to enhance market presence in European markets.
To augment exposure, export incentives will be established, supporting events and collaborations with European retail networks. These strategies hinge upon using sports or cultural gatherings to penetrate local consumer markets, facilitated by Taiwanese overseas missions and chambers of commerce.
Source: Taipei Times