The 2007 Best Agricultural and Fishery Products Expo of the Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations, which was organized by the Council of Agriculture (COA), at the National Taiwan University Sports Center concluded at 5 p.m. on January 1. Based on ticket sales, about 50,000 people crowded into the 700-ping exhibition site during the four-day exposition, generating record-breaking selling value of more than NT$20 million.

The quality and the packing of the exhibited products from the Farmers’ and Fishermen’ Associations startled and impressed many visitors. The section devoted to the top 100 agri-products made the most impact, drawing a remark: “I seemed to be walking in a department store section with counters for special products.” Shoppers were seen carrying big and small packages. Some ended up with order receipts when the stocks ran out.

The hot products sold exceptionally well on the first day when the expo was open only to entrepreneurs or sellers for three hours. Sales were even better on the second day when the expo opened to the general public. Visitors purchased all the stocks. Replenishments had to be brought in by air cargo.

Among them, the locally cultivated fruits like pears, wax apples, Chinese dates, grapes and guavas were the most popular. Wenshan’s top-quality tea, Lugu’s winter tea, Hualien’s clams, Nantou’s rose vinegar, Shetou’s dried longans, Yijhu’s mulberry vinegar, Hsinchu’s tangerine juice pack, and Kuanhsi’s herbal jelly were also among the consumers’ favorites.

Several Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations expressed their astonishment “to see so many visitors at this exposition.” Besides being impressed with the consumption level of the people in the city, they also recognized the need to improve their image and to upgrade the quality of their products to arrive at remarkable marketing results as well as service to the farmers and fishermen. Only then could Taiwan’s competitiveness be safeguarded.

“The most important objective of this farming and fishery product expo by the Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations was to change the thinking of the public about the associations as merely producing delicious but not quite gored products,” said Minister Su Jia-chyuan of the Council of Agriculture. “This time, however, the expo made the public aware of the outcome of the associations’ innovative work in recent years, which helped boost their overall image.”

The expo, which gave an insight of how the COA diligently worked on a project, was over. But already being planned were long-term market exposures for the products at the retail outlets of the Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Company as well as at supermarkets.

Also eyed for promoting the agricultural products as gifts was the Food Hall website of the Taipei County’s Farmers’ Association. Hopefully the Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations would cherish the establishment of a genuine product brand image and the consistent maintenance of the products’ quality standard, according to Minister Su.

According to the COA, the entrepreneurial sector was invited to take a look at the expo. While going around, the visitors began ordering products. Restaurants also placed big orders. Businessmen down the line in the supply chain discussed continuing cooperation, showing signs of a good beginning. At the same time the associations looked forward to future opportunities to observe each other, learn what is a good marketing outlet and service plan.

The COA invited five professors and specialists to evaluate the performances of the 17 Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations. The participants were awarded at the closing ceremony. The Taipei County Farmers’ Association won the grand prize for competence in site planning and their staff drew notice for their uniforms as well as for their good service.

Premier Su Tseng-chang said during the opening ceremony: “By buying and giving good presents, you can never go wrong. The farmers and fishermen are waiting for you.”

Premier Su expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations in developing the best agricultural products, preparing for agribusiness shift, working at providing diversified service and upgrading the products through added value. He aired his expectation for the entrepreneurs to demonstrate a supportive attitude through actual purchase of local products. He urged them to support and help the Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations “to enable the 100-year-old store to mark a new milestone.”

According to the COA, many visitors learned while going through the “Time Tunnel” and viewing the photo exhibit about the 100-year history of the Farmers’ and Fishermen’s Associations at the expo about the associations’ contributions to agricultural development. They understood that the domestic products could match world-famous brands in quality and standard. The beautiful and outstanding performance in sales indicated all sectors’ response and support, And, thus, the expo came to a happy ending.