Unaffected by the global recession and the eurozone financial crisis, Taiwan’s agricultural exports have continued to grow; by the end of March 2012, the country’s total agricultural exports amounted to US$1.17 billion, reflecting a 3.5% increase in comparison to the same quarter last year. Out of the 33 products that make up the bulk of the nation’s agricultural exports, the exports of groupers have increased by 40% in comparison to the same quarter last year, tallying US$15 million in terms of sales. The exports of Phalaenopsis orchids, commonly known as moth orchids, have also increased by 23%, and its trade volume may potentially exceed US$100 million by the end of the year. Overall, the top 33 products have contributed to US$202 million in agricultural exports, which translates into an increase of 10.5% in comparison to the same quarter last year.

The top five agricultural items, their exported growth rates in the first quarter of 2012 are groupers 40%, moth orchids 23%, sea basses 63%, sugar apples 110% and milkfish 130% respectively. In terms of the nation’s major trading partners, the top three export countries are Japan (5.6%), China (15.7%) and the United States (16.6%). The quality of the nation’s agricultural produce is further reflected by the steady annual growth in agricultural exports; the total export volume in 2011 was valued at US$4.66 billion, representing a 16% increase from the total export volume of US$4.02 billion in 2010.

Aquaculture power: Grouper exports jump by 40%

The nation’s command of grouper breeding techniques and suitable breeding grounds has driven the rapid growth of the domestic grouper industry in recent years. Combined with the opening of direct flights across the Taiwan Strait, the development of live-fish transportation fleets and the signing of early harvest programs under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with China, the total export volume of domestic groupers has exceeded US$52.94 million at the end of March 2012. The grouper-breeding industry is expected to continue its expansions, as the total export volume has increased by 40% in comparison to the output by the same quarter last year. On a similar note, the US$41.90 million’s worth of groupers exported to China by March 2012 represents an increase of 35% in comparison to the same quarter last year.

Beautiful orchids enjoy a dazzling export growth of 23%

Years of effort in the cultivation of new Phalaenopsis species, the refinement of horticultural techniques and the improvement of long-distance flora transportation have come to fruition. After the United States began importing orchids potted in sphagnum moss in 2005, it overtook Japan in 2008 to become the number one country for the Taiwan’s orchids. Furthermore, the world demand for moth orchids defied the 2009 global financial crisis, as proven by a 19.3% increase in total export volume between 2010 and 2011. Orchid exports, which raked in a total of US$98.47 million last year, have tallied US$25.90 million in the first quarter of 2012, representing a 23% increase in comparison to the same quarter last year and igniting hopes of exceeding the US$100-million mark by the end of this year.

With the goal of introducing local produce to foreign markets, the Council of Agriculture (COA) has launched an action plan consisting of attending international trade shows, cooperating with foreign retail enterprises, establishing permanent off-shore trade offices and inviting oversea buyers to open new trade routes. Such policy and measures taken by the COA aim to increase international recognition of the island’s quality produce and to open new trade doors for the domestic agricultural sector in the international markets.