Taiwan makes 1st large-scale shipment of summer fruits to Europe

Taipei, June 2 (CNA) The first large-scale export of Taiwanese summer fruits to Europe left Pingtung County on Tuesday after meeting stringent European Union (EU) import and quarantine requirements.

Speaking at a send-off ceremony for the 6 metric tons of mangoes, lychees and dragon fruit, Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) said that while Taiwanese fresh fruit exports to Europe had previously been limited, the shipment marked the start of a more systematic push into the European market.

The exporter, Nature House, said the shipment is destined for Rungis, France's largest wholesale fresh produce market, which is home to more than 1,200 businesses and serves as a key sourcing hub for Michelin-starred restaurants, hotels and major retailers.

Chen said the breakthrough required close cooperation from growers to meet production and quarantine standards, adding that Taiwan has also established an international cold-chain logistics center in Pingtung to help expand exports to more overseas markets.

The Ministry of Agriculture said the European Union approved imports of Taiwanese guavas and mangoes into all member states in June 2025 following years of negotiations and technical preparations.

The EU further approved imports of Taiwanese lychees and dragon fruit in February this year, it said.

According to the ministry, the EU market maintains strict standards for plant quarantine and product quality, covering everything from orchard management and pest control to post-harvest cold-chain transportation.