In 2024, Taiwan ranked as the eighth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, with total trade reaching $3.8 billion, an increase of 16 per cent compared to five years ago. Among these exports, fresh fruit emerged as the fifth-largest category, with shipments valued at $262 million, marking a 34 per cent rise over 2020 levels.
The United States remains the leading supplier of fresh fruit to Taiwan, outpacing competitors such as New Zealand and Japan, which exported $255 million and $222 million, respectively. Top U.S. fruit exports to the Taiwanese market include fresh apples, cherries, grapes, peaches, plums, and oranges, encompassing both conventional and organic varieties.
Apples stand out as Taiwan's most imported fruit, with total import volumes reaching 156,419 metric tons (MT) in 2024. The United States notably regained market share, capturing 41 per cent of the apple import volume with 63,637 MT exported. This recovery followed a sharp decline in South African exports to Taiwan after moth detections in May 2023 led to a suspension of trade. South Africa's apple exports dropped to just 7,021 MT, allowing U.S. suppliers to step in and meet the demand.
Apples continue to hold cultural and dietary importance in Taiwan, where a broad variety of fruits are consumed regularly. The strength of U.S. exports reflects not only market demand but also Taiwan's confidence in the quality and safety of American fresh produce.
The trade relationship between the United States and Taiwan was further reinforced by the December 2024 implementation of an agreement under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative for 21st Century Trade. While this agreement currently covers areas such as trade facilitation, customs procedures, anticorruption efforts, and support for small and medium-sized businesses, agriculture remains under negotiation in future phases of the agreement.
As Taiwan continues to diversify its sources of high-quality fresh fruit, the United States remains a key trading partner, driven by consumer preference, supply reliability, and expanding bilateral trade frameworks.
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