After eight years of detailed negotiations, Japan has officially granted approval for the import of red dragon fruit from Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). Previously, Taiwan had been exporting dragon fruit with white flesh to Japan since 2010. However, the variety with red or purplish flesh, which is prone to infestation by oriental fruit flies and melon flies, had not been approved due to concerns over these pests.
To meet Japan’s stringent import requirements, the dragon fruit must undergo a specific treatment process. This involves steaming the center of the fruit at 46.5 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes, as outlined by the MOA. In preparation for the upcoming summer fruit exports, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) facilitated the visit of two Japanese inspectors in May to oversee testing and certification procedures.
In 2023, Taiwan’s fruit exports to Japan reached 18,000 tons across 11 different varieties, valued at approximately US$30 million (NT$970 million). Since Taiwan’s initial application in 2016 to export red dragon fruit, its total fruit exports to Japan have increased fourfold, making Japan the largest market for Taiwanese fruit. The MOA also noted that Taiwan’s red dragon fruit is now exported to a total of twelve countries.
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