Breaking Through Pineapple Quarantine Barriers: Taiwan's Agricultural Research Institute Develops Technologies to Boost Overseas Markets
Taiwan's Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) has formed a "Pineapple Export Assistance Team" to overcome quarantine pest and storage quality challenges. It has significantly reduced the fumigation rate and stem rot incidence for pineapples exported to Japan and introduced drone-based smart pesticide application. A new variety, 'Tainung No. 23', has obtained plant variety rights in Japan, and the US has also signaled approval for Taiwanese pineapple imports.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 19:17
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 3) Pineapple is Taiwan's most valuable export fruit, but in recent years it has faced challenges from quarantine pests and storage/transportation quality issues. The Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) under the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has broken through these barriers to help expand overseas markets.
Taiwan's fresh pineapples have been banned from entering China since March 2021, prompting the MOA to actively develop the Japanese market. However, pineapples exported to Japan were found to have quarantine pests and faced storage quality challenges. TARI integrated relevant agencies to form a "Pineapple Export Assistance Team" and held a press conference on Wednesday to announce the successful breakthrough of quarantine barriers and the establishment of a complete cold chain technology to improve storage and transport quality.
TARI Director Wang Shih-hsien said that since 2022, Japanese quarantine authorities have frequently detected the pest "leafroller moth" (Tortricidae) in Taiwanese pineapples, requiring the entire batch of fresh fruit to be fumigated with methyl bromide, increasing costs and shortening shelf life.
Director Wang stated that TARI discovered that the leafroller moth and "small fruit rot disease," which long affects quality, primarily attack during the pineapple flowering period. They screened pesticides that comply with both Taiwanese and Japanese pesticide residue regulations, established a safe harvest period, and guided farmers to apply pesticides precisely during critical periods, significantly improving control effectiveness.
Furthermore, to address the issues of flesh blackening and stem rot caused by storage temperatures during long-distance transport, Director Wang said the TARI team introduced the fungicide fludioxonil combined with alcohol disinfection treatment to improve fruit appearance and market value.
According to TARI statistics, by the end of 2025, the fumigation rate for pineapples exported to Japan dropped significantly from 35.4% in 2023 to 16.6%. The incidence of stem rot on retail shelves was also reduced to 35%.
Director Wang said TARI also introduced drone-based smart pesticide application technology, which can reduce pesticide application costs by over 30% (approximately NT$4,000) per hectare of pineapple field.
'Tainung No. 17' (Golden Pineapple) is currently the main export variety. TARI observed that the newer variety 'Tainung No. 23' (Mango Pineapple) has better rain resistance, storage/transport tolerance, and longer shelf life than 'Tainung No. 17', which can fill the gap in fruit quality and supply during the rainy summer season.
Director Wang noted that 'Tainung No. 23' officially obtained Japanese plant variety rights registration on May 22. This effectively and legally protects Taiwan's core breeding achievements, safeguards the income of farmers and exporters, establishes a "legal firewall" and variety barrier in the international fruit market, prevents illegal infringing products from abroad entering Japan, and comprehensively deepens the exclusive brand image of "Taiwan's Premium Fruits."
According to MOA statistics, in 2024, Taiwan exported approximately 21,000 metric tons of pineapples, valued at NT$8.7 billion. In 2025, due to typhoon damage, exports fell to 17,000 metric tons, valued at NT$7.6 billion. The Japanese market accounts for about 90% of exports, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore.
The MOA's Department of International Affairs estimates that pineapple exports could rebound to 20,000 metric tons this year. From January to May, pineapple exports to Japan had already reached 14,000 metric tons.
Additionally, the United States has preliminarily agreed to allow Taiwanese pineapple imports. The MOA stated that it is awaiting the official announcement from the US and hopes to enter the US market this year. (Editor: Li Hengshan) 1150603
Taiwan's fresh pineapples have been banned from entering China since March 2021, prompting the MOA to actively develop the Japanese market. However, pineapples exported to Japan were found to have quarantine pests and faced storage quality challenges. TARI integrated relevant agencies to form a "Pineapple Export Assistance Team" and held a press conference on Wednesday to announce the successful breakthrough of quarantine barriers and the establishment of a complete cold chain technology to improve storage and transport quality.
TARI Director Wang Shih-hsien said that since 2022, Japanese quarantine authorities have frequently detected the pest "leafroller moth" (Tortricidae) in Taiwanese pineapples, requiring the entire batch of fresh fruit to be fumigated with methyl bromide, increasing costs and shortening shelf life.
Director Wang stated that TARI discovered that the leafroller moth and "small fruit rot disease," which long affects quality, primarily attack during the pineapple flowering period. They screened pesticides that comply with both Taiwanese and Japanese pesticide residue regulations, established a safe harvest period, and guided farmers to apply pesticides precisely during critical periods, significantly improving control effectiveness.
Furthermore, to address the issues of flesh blackening and stem rot caused by storage temperatures during long-distance transport, Director Wang said the TARI team introduced the fungicide fludioxonil combined with alcohol disinfection treatment to improve fruit appearance and market value.
According to TARI statistics, by the end of 2025, the fumigation rate for pineapples exported to Japan dropped significantly from 35.4% in 2023 to 16.6%. The incidence of stem rot on retail shelves was also reduced to 35%.
Director Wang said TARI also introduced drone-based smart pesticide application technology, which can reduce pesticide application costs by over 30% (approximately NT$4,000) per hectare of pineapple field.
'Tainung No. 17' (Golden Pineapple) is currently the main export variety. TARI observed that the newer variety 'Tainung No. 23' (Mango Pineapple) has better rain resistance, storage/transport tolerance, and longer shelf life than 'Tainung No. 17', which can fill the gap in fruit quality and supply during the rainy summer season.
Director Wang noted that 'Tainung No. 23' officially obtained Japanese plant variety rights registration on May 22. This effectively and legally protects Taiwan's core breeding achievements, safeguards the income of farmers and exporters, establishes a "legal firewall" and variety barrier in the international fruit market, prevents illegal infringing products from abroad entering Japan, and comprehensively deepens the exclusive brand image of "Taiwan's Premium Fruits."
According to MOA statistics, in 2024, Taiwan exported approximately 21,000 metric tons of pineapples, valued at NT$8.7 billion. In 2025, due to typhoon damage, exports fell to 17,000 metric tons, valued at NT$7.6 billion. The Japanese market accounts for about 90% of exports, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore.
The MOA's Department of International Affairs estimates that pineapple exports could rebound to 20,000 metric tons this year. From January to May, pineapple exports to Japan had already reached 14,000 metric tons.
Additionally, the United States has preliminarily agreed to allow Taiwanese pineapple imports. The MOA stated that it is awaiting the official announcement from the US and hopes to enter the US market this year. (Editor: Li Hengshan) 1150603
FAQ
What is the current status of Taiwanese pineapple exports to Japan?
Exports declined in 2025 due to typhoon damage but are expected to recover in 2026. Japan accounts for about 90% of Taiwan's pineapple exports.
What are the features of the 'Tainung No. 23' pineapple?
'Tainung No. 23' (Mango Pineapple) has better rain resistance and storage tolerance than the main variety 'Tainung No. 17', making it suitable for maintaining quality during the summer.
When will Taiwanese pineapples be exported to the US?
The US has preliminarily agreed to allow imports. Taiwan is awaiting the official announcement and hopes to enter the US market this year.