The first shipment of Taiwan tiger groupers is heading to Japan after gaining approval for export last October, spotlighting government efforts to expand into new markets, the Ministry of Agriculture said Feb. 5.
According to the MOA, the batch was procured by Osaka-based West Japan Railway Co. and will be sold in its Rail Kitchen Chikugo, as well as its hotels and supermarkets in Hokkaido and Kyoto prefectures and the Kyushu region.
During the news conference announcing the shipment, MOA Minister Chen Junne-jih said the ministry provided rigorous evidence of the product’s safety during several bilateral economic and trade conferences. The export approval reflects Japanese recognition of the groupers’ quality, breeding management and water quality monitoring, Chen noted, adding that the development marks a milestone in access to the global market for Taiwan fishery products.
The ministry will continue to promote domestically raised tiger groupers by ensuring a stable supply and enhancing Japanese consumers’ awareness of Taiwan products, Chen said, adding that the MOA’s Fisheries Agency will help more local businesses obtain export approval to Japan, while the Fisheries Research Institute will keep monitoring the breeding environment to ensure quality.
The minister went on to say that the MOA will conduct market surveys, launch small sampler fish meat packages and hold promotional activities in Japan.
Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi noted that the southern Taiwan county is the largest grouper breeding area in the country, with an annual output of 7,206 metric tons and an annual output value of NT$1.89 billion (US$57.5 million). This latest shipment follows that of yellow groupers to Japan in 2023, she said.
Chen additionally stressed that the successful export of tiger grouper is the result of coordinated efforts by academics, officials and businesses, adding that it demonstrates the strength of cross-sector cooperation. (YCH-E)
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from Taiwan Today – Top News