Taiwan set to begin importing blueberries from Poland

Taipei, Sept. 10 (CNA) Blueberries from Poland have been approved for export to Taiwan, Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) announced Wednesday.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (APHIA) under the MOA said in a public announcement that its staff completed quarantine inspections in Poland and that imports of the small blue fruit will begin once origin verification is finalized.

According to APHIA, orchards supplying blueberries must operate under the supervision of Poland's State Plant Health Protection and Seed Inspection Service (SPHPSIS).

Polish blueberry suppliers are required to monitor and control pests such as spotted wing drosophila (commonly known as fruit flies) and keep detailed pest-control records.

The agency added that SPHPSIS must submit a list and codes of eligible packing facilities to Taiwan six weeks before each export season.

APHIA explained that packaged blueberries must undergo sampling for export quarantine. If any harmful organisms are found, the entire shipment will be barred from entering Taiwan.

According to MOA data, Taiwan already imports blueberries from places such as the United States, Canada, Chile, Peru, New Zealand and Japan.

The ministry said Taiwan imported 3,287 metric tons of blueberries in 2024, more than tripling the amount from a decade earlier.