Taiwan Mango Enters French Market Targeting Premium Channels, Importer Praises Top Quality

Central News Agency Report

(Taipei, Correspondent Tseng I-Hsuan, Paris, June 12) Taiwan's Irwin mangoes have entered the French market for the first time, with the initial shipment already cleared through customs. The French importer praised the quality of Taiwan's mangoes as 'truly top-tier,' and plans to aggressively promote them, prioritizing premium channels such as luxury hotels and high-end restaurants in their market strategy.

Hao Pei-Chih, Representative of Taiwan to France, visited the Rungis International Fresh Produce Market on the outskirts of Paris, calling on Sun 7 Fruits, a French fruit importer. Accompanied by company director Bruno Chartier, she reviewed the status of the first mango import and assessed the potential of the French market.

The Rungis International Market supplies fresh ingredients to professionals across the Île-de-France region and is known as the world's largest fresh produce market.

Hao stated, 'We have great confidence in Taiwan's fruits, but entering the EU market truly requires tremendous effort.'

She pointed out that the first hurdle was negotiating quarantine conditions, made possible through years of negotiations by Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, and the Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium.

Additionally, she highlighted the importance of positioning Taiwan's fruits in the European and French markets, as well as establishing downstream distribution channels. Thanks to the efforts of the Taipei Representative Office in France, prior arrangements included a visit by Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-Che and active invitations by the Taipei Trade Center in Paris for French fruit buyers to visit Taiwan, facilitating bilateral trade connections that enabled Taiwan's mangoes to successfully enter the European market.

Hao emphasized that Taiwan is not only known for advanced semiconductors but also for its distinctive fruits. The entry of Taiwan's mangoes into the French market signifies a move toward comprehensive trade relations and represents a significant achievement in meeting high technical standards for Taiwan's fruit industry.

Chartier, speaking to CNA, highly praised the quality of Taiwan's fruits. He said Taiwan's Irwin mangoes are exceptionally sweet, with plump flesh and small seeds, classifying them as premium products. While other imported mangoes are also good, Taiwan's mangoes are 'in a different league.'

He noted that this is the first batch of Taiwanese mangoes imported into France and requires further promotion to raise market awareness. 'Taiwan's current advantage lies in rigorous packaging and fruit handling techniques. The batch we received is truly top-tier,' he said.

Given that Taiwan's mangoes outperform those from other origins in quality and command a higher price, the market strategy focuses on premium distribution channels.

Chartier explained that the initial approach will prioritize luxury hotels, concept stores, fine dining restaurants, and high-end retail shops, with potential expansion to supermarkets and large retail chains in the future.

He noted that Spain also cultivates Irwin mangoes, with a harvest season in September and October, but distributors who have sampled Taiwan's mangoes have praised their flavor.

Chartier also mentioned that Taiwan's lychees are delicious, with small seeds and sweet juice, 'unbeatable in taste.' However, based on experience, French consumers prefer bright red lychees. He has communicated this feedback to Taiwan and expects to receive lychee samples with the next mango shipment.

He emphasized, 'One reason I am eager to collaborate with Taiwan is their proactive response and serious consideration of our feedback—a trait not every country demonstrates.'

Huang Sheng-Hsien, European representative of Taiwan exporter 'Nature House Group,' stated that the EU's quarantine regulations are extremely strict. Successfully delivering Taiwan's fruits to Europe signifies international recognition of Taiwan's agriculture. Moreover, transporting mangoes over 10,000 kilometers from Taiwan to France demonstrates overcoming the challenges of long-distance cold-chain logistics. (Edited by Tien Jui-Hua) 1150613