The Taichung City Government’s Agriculture Bureau continues to assist farmers’ groups in expanding overseas markets for agricultural products, with the Canadian market reopening post-pandemic. This year, Taichung’s Ponkan mandarin exports to North America have reached 82 metric tons, surpassing last year’s volume. Today (22nd), the Agriculture Bureau, in collaboration with the Dongshih District Farmers' Association, held a promotional event at PriceSmart Foods Richmond in Vancouver, Canada, showcasing premium Ponkan mandarins from Taichung, Taiwan. The Agriculture Bureau noted that this year, Ponkan mandarins are available at Western Canadian supermarkets such as Save-On-Foods and at Central Canadian supermarkets such as Associated Grocers. The expansion also reaches Eastern Canada, including major supermarkets like Asia Food Mart in Toronto, Scarborough, and Markham, allowing the vibrant orange fruit to captivate North America!

According to the Agriculture Bureau, Ponkan mandarins are a key agricultural product of Taichung and an important export fruit. The harvest season runs from November to February, and Taichung covers a cultivation area of 1,388 hectares with an annual output of around 25,045 metric tons. Major growing regions include Dongshi, Shigang, Fengyuan, Houli, Xinshe, and Beitun, making Taichung the second-largest Ponkan-producing area in Taiwan. Thanks to its ideal climate and fertile soil, Taichung yields mandarins with bright, vibrant skin, plump and juicy flesh, and a pleasantly chewy texture. Their well-balanced sweetness and tangy flavor, along with their high nutritional value, have earned them widespread popularity among both local and international consumers.

According to the Dongshih District Farmers' Association, the Agriculture Bureau has been dedicated to implementing diverse marketing strategies to enhance the brand image of Taichung’s fruits and expand their presence in international markets. As a result, Taichung’s Ponkan mandarins have successfully entered countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong, and Japan. In the past two years, efforts have also focused on re-establishing connections with Canadian distributors, further broadening the market scope. Despite this year’s reduced Ponkan yield due to typhoon impacts and the intense competition in global markets, the Agriculture Bureau and local farmers’ groups have worked together to tackle these challenges, ensuring continued overseas expansion. In 2022, Taiwan exported around 79 metric tons of Ponkan mandarins to Canada. Through close collaboration between the Dongshih District Farmers' Association and trade partners, Canada’s distribution channels have been successfully reestablished, driving steady growth in exports.

The Agriculture Bureau added that efforts to boost Ponkan mandarins on the global stage have gone beyond the traditional holiday gift set approach. In recent years, the bureau has actively fostered cross-industry collaborations, combining Ponkan mandarins with local cuisine in Southeast Asian countries to create diverse Ponkan dishes and desserts, offering consumers a richer taste experience. In Canada, Ponkan mandarins have not only remained a favorite among the Chinese community but have also gained popularity in overseas markets, further expanding their international footprint. Last year’s trial sale of Murcott mandarins in North America also received a positive response. This year, the bureau aims to increase exports to 10 metric tons, allowing more Canadians to experience the unique flavors of Taiwanese citrus. The influence of “citrus diplomacy” continues to rise!

Today’s event was attended by key figures, including Director General Li-hsin Liu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Vancouver, Director Kyle Chiu of the Taiwan Trade Center, Vancouver, Director Tina Wong of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in BC, and Co-Chairs Xie Ming-zhu, Zhang Jian-li, and Huang Zong-qin of the Metro Vancouver Overseas Taiwanese Society. Also present were Coordinator Song Mei-man of the Overseas Community Affairs Council, Regional Director Jacky Ho of Save-On-Foods, Purchasing Manager Johnson Cheung of China Sales Group Ltd., Store Manager Rabih Abou Khazaal, General Manager Abe Lo of Taione Trading Ltd., along with representatives from Taiwan’s agricultural sector, including Secretary Su Guo-jin and Director Gu Man-qin of the Dongshih District Farmers’ Association, and Director Liao Ting-Jian of the Shigang District Farmers’ Association. Attendees expressed their hope for the continued success of Taichung’s Ponkan mandarins in the Canadian market.
Contact person: Officer Yu, Agriculture Bureau, Taichung City Government
Contact number: 04-22289111 ext. 56520