Taiwanflowers have accumulated abundant export capacity after winning awards in many international flower shows as well as recognition and appreciation by foreigners in recent years, said the Council of Agriculture (COA). In addition to Phalaenopsis orchids being found favor with British Queen Elizabeth II in the Chelsea Flower Show in May, cut flowers at display in the Ghent Flower Show in Belgium last April were also favored by Crown Prince Philippe and his wife and won the first image prize. All these demonstrated that the Taiwanese flower industry has created its reputation and become one of the most sought-after exhibitors by international flower shows.

Taiwanhas a flower growing area of more than 13,000 hectares with an output value of some NT$11.83 billion. Some 600 hectares of the area are growing Phalaenopsis orchids and 70% of them are concentrated in Tainan, Chiayi, Nantou, Taichung, Pingtung and Kaohsiung counties. The annual output value of Phalaenopsis orchids stands at NT$2.7 billion, representing an output value of some NT$5.5 million per hectare, which exceeds all the other Taiwanese agricultural products. The United States, Japan, the Netherlands and South Korea are among the main orchid export markets.

The export of Taiwan flowers totaled US$110.7 million in 2009, including US$62.68 million for Phalaenopsis orchids, which was 20% more than the export value of US$52.23 million in 2008.

To enhance the production capacity of Taiwan flowers and expand their overseas market share, the COA has actively guided and assisted cluster production, promoted the establishment of exclusive flower and orchid export zones as well as the Taiwan orchid biological technology park, and developed preservation techniques for long-distance shipping of dancing-lady orchids and Phalaenopsis orchids which have lowered export shipping costs. The Council has also negotiated with other countries for exported orchid quarantine measures and increased plant viability by convincing the United States, Canada and South Korea to accept imported Taiwanese orchids with medium, and reached agreement with the European Union on simplifying the application procedures for Phalaenopsis orchid variety rights, which has benefited Taiwan breeders by greatly shortening the application process and reducing expenditures.

With regard to building the image of Taiwan flowers abroad, the COA has begun implementing the international marketing program for Taiwan agricultural products since 2004, selecting Phalaenopsis orchid, dancing-lady orchid, chrysanthemum, lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) and anthurium as potential export items, and assisted the local flower industry in participating key international flower shows. The Council is scheduled to guide Taiwan flower farmers to take part in 9 important overseas shows in 2010, using creative floricultural techniques to show Taiwan flowers and displaying the high quality of exported Taiwan flowers, with an aim to promote Taiwan flower exports and build an excellent image for both Taiwan flowers and the country itself. The Council will continue strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights for plant variety, enhance agricultural science and technological capability, promote international marketing, integrate production and marketing process to actively increase the competitiveness of the local flower industry as a whole, and continuously penetrate the global flower market.