Taiwan “Rural Good Products” have officially enter Japan! On March 9, Deputy Minister Huang Chao-chin of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) witnessed the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Tony Tung, CEO of the Taichung City Shalu District Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Cooperative, and Katsuaki Shigemitsu, president of Shigemitsu Industry Company (makers of Ajisen Ramen). This collaboration aims to introduce Taiwan’s premium “Rural Good Products” to the Japanese market under the guidance of the Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation (ARDSWC). This cooperation also marks the first time that Taiwanese braised pork in soft can packaging will be sold through Japanese sales channels. Ten Rural Good Products including aiyu jelly drinks and dried mango will formally be sold via the “shop within a shop” method at restaurants of the famous Kumamoto City chain “Ajisen Ramen.” The first group of outlets in this program will include the main shop, the Tomiai shop, and the Higashi Bypass shop.

Ten years of success with Rural Good Products, promoting Taiwan-Japan agricultural cooperation

Deputy Minister Huang explains that the Rural Good Products program was launched by the ARDSWC in 2015 and is now in its tenth year. A total of 483 premium agriproducts from 314 firms have so far been identified under the program. This cooperation with Ajisen Ramen marks an important step forward towards the internationalization of Taiwan rural industries. The ARDSWC says: “This current cooperation with Ajisen Ramen is not only an important milestone for the marketing of Taiwan rural products in Japan, it also shows that rural industries can generate more overseas commercial opportunities and promote in-depth exchanges between agricultural industries in Taiwan and Japan.” Meanwhile, Ajisen Ramen points out: “Taiwan Rural Good Products are of high quality and have unique local flair, and it is hoped that through Ajisen Ramen sales channels, these outstanding products can be introduced to more Japanese consumers, creating a win-win situation for both sides.”

Rural Good Products go on sale in Kumamoto, outstanding agriproducts from Taiwan are promoted

Deputy Minister Huang highlighted that one of the ten Rural Good Products debuting in Japan is hand-cut braised pork, celebrated for its traditional Taiwanese flavor. Made with premium Taiwan pork and free of chemical additives, this delicacy features distinct meat chunks, rich gelatin, and an intensely savory taste. It also is rich in gelatin and has a robust mouthfeel. This marks the first time that Taiwanese braised pork in soft can packaging has been exported to Japan, which is very meaningful. Aiyu jelly drink, meanwhile, is made with aiyu jelly produced in Taiwan along with passion fruit and plums, pineapple and honey, and honey with lemon. It has a clean, refreshing taste, is easy to drink, and is even more delicious after being refrigerated. As for dried mango, it is made with natural, fresh mangos (ripened on tree) with Traceable Agricultural Products certification, without coloring or additives, and completely preserves the natural fragrance and texture of mangos. In addition, Loton (Luodong) healthy preserved eggs, firewood-dried longan, and white fungus yuhebao litchee rock candy will also be sold under this cooperation program. These products are all made with selected high-quality Taiwan agriproducts and emphasize no artificial additives, natural health, and compliance with food safety and hygiene laws and regulations. This enables consumers to not only enjoy pure delicious tastes but also eat these products with peace of mind and good health.

Deepening Taiwan-Japan cooperation, creating new commercial opportunities for rural industries

The Ministry of Agriculture points out that Ajisen Ramen plans in the future, on the basis of the MOU, to sell even more Rural Good Products from Taiwan in its 636 outlets in Japan and overseas, and will explore the possibility of co-branded products. This cooperation program not only enhances the international visibility of Taiwan agriproducts, it creates more development opportunities for rural enterprises. In the future the MOA will continue to promote development of rural industries, deepen international cooperation, and make even more premium agriproducts from Taiwan available around the world.

Shop information:

• Main shop: Kumamoto City, Chuo Ward, Suizenji 6-20-24/096-384-4433
• Higashi Bypass shop: Kumamoto City, Higashi Ward, Shimonabe 3 chome, 13 ban, 57 go/096-380-8937
• Tomiai shop: Kumamoto City, Minami Ward, Tomiai Machi, Shijimizu 49－1/096-288-2357