The 2026 Taiwan International Orchid Show (TIOS) and Floral Technology Exhibition (FTE) are being jointly held from February 27 to March 16. This year the core theme is “Blooming Taiwan,” with “industrial renaissance,” “international linkages,” and “societal resonance” as the sub-themes. The event integrates AI technology, immersive displays, and a professional commercial platform. It features the diverse aspects of Taiwan’s floriculture industry as it has developed from its home base to become an internationalized sector. To open the joint exhibition in style, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) held an event entitled “Night of Orchid Elegance Reception” on February 26. It was attended by more than 300 guests—including President Lai Ching-te, Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih, representatives of local and central government agencies, and representatives of the floriculture industry—to collectively launch this festival of orchids.

In his remarks, President Lai stated that the TIOS has long linked together businesses with important international buyers. Moreover, faced with the rapidly changing global market and the accelerating risks of climate change, Taiwan’s orchids are not merely an agricultural product, they are carriers of culture and values. He said he hoped orchids from Taiwan can become similar to tulips from the Netherlands, being exported worldwide, creating industrial value, helping farmers improve their lives, and drawing global attention to Taiwan’s cultural soft power.

President Lai also pointed out that the government will continue to fight for zero tariffs on exports to the US and strive to upgrade the competitiveness of the flower industry. In the future the government will invest development funds in the Floral Industry Innovation Center and through the implementation of long-term and medium-term infrastructure programs promote the upgrading and transformation of the floriculture industry. It is estimated that over the next ten years the Center’s annual flower exports could reach NT$2.4 billion per year and it will create over 3,000 jobs as it continues to prosper.

Minister of Agriculture Chen explained that the most important goal of the TIOS is to enable the world to appreciate the beauty of Taiwan’s flowers and through flowers to see the vitality of Taiwan. The TIOS has been ranked among the top orchid exhibitions in the world for many years now, but this is the first year that the MOA is the main organizer. He said that the MOA has specially arranged for the TIOS and FTE to be held jointly to further strengthen industry interactions and cross-domain cooperation, especially highlighting the aesthetics of combining flowers with AI.

Minister Chen further stated that data shows that in 2024, the value of flower exports from Taiwan was NT$6.54 billion. Of this, orchids accounted for about NT$6 billion, or over 90%. Such excellent results are the products of the commitment and hard work of every flower-related business and farmer. The TIOS has long served as an important platform for displaying the accomplishments of the industry and for professional interactions, and in the future the MOA will continue to promote international linkages and market expansion. The Ministry will also strengthen and deepen industry-government-academia cooperation in the field of floriculture; promote technological upgrading, manpower training, and sustainable transformation in the industry; and assist Taiwan’s flower industry to stably advance in the global market. Minister Chen specially thanked President Lai for his support in founding the Floral Industry Innovation Center, which makes it possible for government agencies to provide more services to even more orchid businesses.

Orchids are an important calling card for Taiwan in the world as well as a symbol of the high level of expertise and internationalization in Taiwan’s agricultural sector. Over many years, Taiwan has moved from traditional growing to precision breeding and smart production, building a comprehensive R&D, production, and export system and becoming one of the most impactful moth orchid supplier nations in the world. The 2026 joint TIOS and FTE is not just one of the year’s biggest events, it is an important platform for displaying Taiwan’s agricultural innovation capabilities and industrial resilience to the international community. When orchids quietly bloom in spring, what the world sees are not only beautiful scenes of blossoming flowers, but Taiwan’s confidence and strengths as part of global society. The 2026 TIOS and FTE is running from February 27 to March 16, and the MOA sincerely invites local residents and international friends to its Floral Industry Innovation Center (Tainan City, Houbi District, Wushulin No. 325) to bear witness to the new future of Taiwan’s floriculture industry.

A group photo at the opening event of the 2026 Taiwan International Orchid Show (TIOS) and Floral Technology Exhibition (FTE): the “Night of Orchid Elegance Reception.”

A second group photo at the Night of Orchid Elegance Reception.

President Lai delivered remarks at the event.

Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih also delivered remarks at the event.

President Lai is shown here on a tour of the joint TIOS and FTE exhibition.