Tainan has signed an export agreement to supply 100 tons each of mangoes and pineapples to South Korea next year, reflecting the city's expanding agricultural trade links.
According to the Tainan City Government, the deal will include 100 tons each of Irwin mangoes and Golden Diamond pineapples (Tainung No. 17) for delivery to South Korea in 2026. Mayor Huang Wei-che, who witnessed the signing, said the agreement "did not come easily."
Huang explained that city officials held multiple meetings with South Korean buyers and participated in the Seoul Food Expo for two consecutive years to establish cooperation. He noted that Tainan fruit is supported by established cold-chain logistics systems that maintain freshness during shipment.
Agricultural Bureau Director General Li Fang-lin said the agreement shows that Tainan's global market approach is progressing. Li added that the city will assist local producers in meeting South Korea's safety and quality standards, according to Liberty Times.
CNA reported that Tainan began participating in the Seoul Food Expo in 2024, where it launched the "Tainan Pavilion," generating around US$310,000 in fruit orders in its first year. The 2025 showcase expanded to include over 50 local agricultural and fishery products, leading to new orders worth about US$9.3 million.
The Irwin mango, known locally as the Ai-wen mango, is a red-skinned variety originally bred in Florida and now widely cultivated in Tainan. It is known for its sweet, juicy, and low-fiber characteristics, making it Taiwan's leading export mango.
The Golden Diamond pineapple, officially designated Tainung No. 17, was developed by the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute in 1998. With its golden-yellow flesh and mild sweetness, it represents the majority of Taiwan's pineapple export volume.
Source: Taiwan News
