June 04, 2026 | Taipei Times |
A research team from the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute has developed technologies that significantly improve the quality and export competitiveness of Taiwanese pineapples, particularly in the Japanese market, which has become Taiwan’s main export destination since China banned imports in 2021. Although pineapple exports now exceed 19,000 tonnes annually, exporters have faced challenges from pest infestations and stem rot during shipping.
To address these issues, the institute introduced a drone-based pesticide spraying system that reduced fumigation rates from 35.4% in 2023 to 16.6% in 2024, while lowering labor and pesticide costs by at least 30%. The number of fumigated export batches also fell substantially, generating savings of about NT$20 million. In addition, researchers developed improved cold-chain management techniques, maintaining fruit at approximately 13°C to reduce browning and postharvest losses during transport.
The institute is also promoting the newly developed Tainung No. 23 “mango pineapple,” which complements the export season of the popular Tainung No. 17 “golden diamond” pineapple. Industry representatives said these innovations have helped expand Taiwan’s pineapple exports to Japan nearly tenfold since 2021, strengthening the industry’s long-term export potential.
