DFNet

July 27, 2025 | Taipei Times |

The Taiwan-Japan Dagang Fruit Festival opened at the Kaohsiung Music Center, featuring nearly 100 stalls of fruit and agricultural products alongside music and dance performances. Organized by the Kaohsiung City Government and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, the two-day event aims to promote Taiwan’s fruits, processed products, and strengthen bilateral ties.

According to the Agriculture and Food Agency, Taiwan exported 22,517 tons of fruit from January to last month, valued at NT$1.35 billion (US$45.82 million). Japan accounted for 16,018 tons, or 71 percent of the total, underscoring its importance as a key export market.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai and Japanese representative Kazuyuki Katayama highlighted the event’s success last year, which drew 100,000 visitors, and expressed hopes that this year’s turnout would be even higher. Katayama also emphasized ongoing cooperation in safety, education, and investment for Japanese residents in Kaohsiung.

In related efforts, Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Japan’s Ibaraki Prefectural Government are incorporating Taiwanese fruits into local school lunches. Nearly 3 tons of pineapples and 630kg of Irwin mangoes have been shipped to benefit over 40,000 students this year. Officials hope such initiatives will build positive impressions of Taiwanese produce and expand future consumer markets in Japan.

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