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The Taichung Oncidium and Lilium Japan Export MOU signing took place at the Tokyo TKP conference center 48F. Besides Mayor Lin, Representative to Japan Frank Hsieh, External Trade Development Council(TAITRA) Chairman James C. F. Huang, Ministry of Economic Affairs Bureau of Foreign Trade Deputy Director General David Hsu, Suikoh Top Line Co., Ltd.President Masaki Shoki, Greenpacks Co., President Kunitake Kobayashi, Taichung Dunnan Cooperative Farm chairman Li Chong-chi, Taiwan Orchid Growers Association Chairman Huang Shi-xiong were present for the signing.
The signing took place under the witness of Mayor Lin, contracting future collaborations between Japan side Suikoh Top Line, Greenpacks Co., with Taiwan Orchid Growers Association and Taichung Dunnan Cooperative Farm respectively on the expansion of Taichung oncidium and lilium Japanese market.
Mayor Lin’s stated that Taiwan is an internationally acclaimed flora kingdom, especially amongst orchids, which are the world number one whether in variety or quality. Taichung is the flora production center of Taiwan, with five items ranking first among national output. Among them, both oncidium and lilium account for over half of national production.
Mayor Lin also introduced the oncidium. Because of its appearance similar to a girl dancing, it is also called the dancing flower or dancing girl. Lilium is also known for having hundreds of varieties in Taiwan, and can bring joy to the heart with its fragrance. Both are symbolic flowers of Taichung, and he hopes more Japanese can feel the beauty of Taichung flora in the future.
He also said that Japanese tourists usually travel only to the north and south, but central Taiwan is not only the richest in produce, but also has attractive history and culture. For example, Gaomei Wet Lands was selected as the first choice for overseas travel. He hopes Japan can be invited to attend the Taichung World Flora Expo next year through this ceremonial signing of the MOU, prompting participation by more Japanese visitors and contribute to further Japan Taiwan exchange.
Suikoh Top Line Co., President Masaki Shoki added that of the current 27.49 million imported oncidiums in Japanese market, 24.68 million, or 90% comes from Taichung. The oncidiums supplied by Taiwan has become indispensable; Suikoh operates one third of the Japanese oncidium market, is aggressively operating the Taiwan flora business, and has already become a benchmark company in the Taiwan flora industry. The success today of the company development has its contributions by the flourishing of the Taiwan flora world.
President Shoki also said the company understands oncidiums are the pillars in supporting Taiwan flower export. After the signing of MOU today, Suikoh Company will continue to help expand distributions of Taiwan oncidium in Japan, working together with Taiwan producers to enlarge market needs and increase use rate come hell or high water.
Greenpacks Co., President Kunitake Kobayashi said since the establishing of the company 11 years ago, they are currently importing flora and fauna of every kind from 22 countries. The main supply of liliums in Japan market is currently native or from Korea and Taiwan. Although Taiwan liliums have just begun importation in the recent two years, it quickly opened doors due to high quality. Greempacks is honored to become the first trading company to import Taichung lilium, and hopes to strive with Taiwan farmers on carrying Taichung lilium forward in Japan.
Our representative to Japan Frank Hsieh praises flowers as a token of beauty, symbolizing the beautiful collaboration of this signing.
TAITRA Chairman James C. F. Huang followed by saying the signing of MOU testifies positive mutual relationship in the flora industrial collaboration between Taiwan and Japan. Japan is our country’s second largest flower export market, with a total imported sum reaching 25 million US dollars to Japan last year. With central Taiwan being an important area of production, it serves as utmost importance that this signing symbolizes a new milestone in Taiwan Japan production and sales partnership.
The city Agriculture Bureau states that exported Taichung oncidium last year was around 9.05 million branches, summing at 150 million dollars, mainly to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. Japan alone accounted for 80%, evidence of the importance of Japanese market. In addition, lilium import last year was around 180 thousand branches, a substantial growth. After the signing of MOU between Taiwan and Japan dealers today, it is an important milestone in the expansion of channels and quantity for Taichung oncidium and lilium cut flowers imported to Japan. Not only does it increase farmer profits, solve oncidium and lilium overstocking during excess but also stabilize domestic market price.
As Taichung will be hosting the 2018 World Flora Expo, Mayor Lin also said the city is known for its flora industry, especially oncidiums and liliums which will be the perfect endorser of the Expo due to their unparallel quality. They will allow Japanese people an understanding of Taichung through flowers, open multi-party communications and create the chance of inviting everyone to Taichung for the Expo.
The Agriculture Bureau states the total national plantation areas of oncidiums are around 260 hectares, with 101 hectares in Taichung, reaching first place in Taiwan production. Among them the Xinshe District 45 hectares and Houli District 21 hectares are the largest. All oncidiums produced are top-quality, complete inflorescence, distinct in color with luster, balanced in branches and leaves, with stems straight, pliable and consistent. They are well loved by Japanese consumers.
As for Lilium cut flowers, it is the distinctive growing flora industry of Taichung in recent years. The current countrywide plantation is 322 hectares, with 221 hectares in Taichung and accounting for 68% of national production, ranking first in Taiwan. Amongst them the Houli District has 108 hectares and Xinshe District 82 hectares are the largest.