After eight years of negotiations, Japan has officially approved the import of red dragon fruit from Taiwan, announced the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) on Wednesday, June 5.
Although dragon fruit with edible or white flesh has been exported from Taiwan since 2010, those with red or purplish-red flesh faced challenges due to susceptibility to oriental fruit flies and melon flies, as reported by CNA. Japan’s thorough review process was primarily influenced by concerns over the presence of these insects in Taiwan.
As a prerequisite for export to Japan, the MOA stipulates the necessity of steaming the center of the fruit for 30 minutes at a temperature of 46.5°C. In preparation for summer fruit exports, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) facilitated collaboration by inviting two inspectors from Japan to address testing and certification procedures in May.
In 2023 alone, Taiwan exported a staggering 18,000 tons of 11 fruit varieties to Japan, amounting to an estimated value of US$30 million (NT$970 million). Since Taiwan’s initial application to export red dragon fruit to Japan in 2016, fruit exports have seen a remarkable fourfold increase, positioning Japan as the largest market.
Highlighting Taiwan’s significant presence in the global market, the MOA noted that a total of twelve countries now import red dragon fruit from Taiwan, underscoring the fruit’s popularity and economic importance.