After China, Macau Also Bans Imports of Taiwanese Pineapples

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Following China, Macau is also reported to have banned the import of Taiwanese pineapples.

According to foreign media reports on the 7th, Macau has joined China's measure to ban the import of Taiwanese pineapples starting from the 1st of this month, citing the detection of the quarantine pest, scale insects.

Taiwanese media, citing Hong Kong outlets, reported that Macau has banned the import of Taiwanese pineapples since the 2nd. Hong Kong's Apple Daily reported that after China began the 'pineapple war' with Taiwan, Macau received an official document from the Chinese authorities, resulting in Taiwanese fruit exporters being unable to export pineapples to Macau since last week.

A senior official from Taiwan's Council of Agriculture (COA) stated yesterday that they have not yet received any notification regarding the suspension of Taiwanese pineapple imports. However, while Hong Kong authorities do not require plant quarantine certificates from traders, Macau authorities do require such certificates. The official added that last year, the volume of Taiwanese pineapples exported to Macau was 27 tons.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese media reported that farmers are concerned about a price collapse ahead of the mass shipment period for pineapples. Yao Zhi-wang, a department head at the Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA) under the Council of Agriculture, stated, "This year, the nationwide pineapple harvest area is 8,000 hectares, with the harvest starting in the southern Pingtung region, making April a critical period." He also emphasized that the authorities are making efforts to regulate the export and shipment timing of Taiwanese pineapples.