Taiwan and New Zealand have entered into a bilateral agreement facilitating the export of Taiwanese pineapples to New Zealand, as confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). This development follows discussions initiated in 2017 aimed at introducing Taiwanese pineapples into the New Zealand market. The agreement, endorsed by the MOA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration, and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries, outlines stringent conditions for the export of pineapples.
As per the MOA, New Zealand's import requirements necessitated detailed information on the cultivation practices, climatic conditions favorable to pineapple growth, potential biological threats, and post-harvest processing techniques employed in Taiwan. To comply, Taiwanese pineapples must be cultivated under specific management practices, including harvesting at the mature green stage with crown buds removed. Additionally, pineapple farmers in Taiwan are mandated to undergo annual training relevant to the export season, maintaining comprehensive production records for inspection.
Furthermore, to safeguard against the introduction of contaminants or harmful biological agents into New Zealand, a health inspection protocol involving the examination of 600 fruits has been established. This rigorous inspection process ensures that only pineapples meeting the highest safety and quality standards are exported.
Source: focustaiwan.tw