Not Just Exporting Chips: Pingtung Mangoes Sold for NT$800 Each at Japan's Isetan
Pingtung's "Lu Family Irwin Mango" has successfully entered Japan's Isetan department store, with each mango priced at nearly NT$800 (over 3,700 Japanese Yen). Third-generation young farmer Lu Wang-sheng cultivated premium Irwin mangoes, opening up both domestic and international markets.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 11:26
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 11:31 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 12:25 (53 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter He Hsiu-ling, Pingtung, May 8) From a Fangshan orchard in Pingtung all the way to Japan's Isetan department store, a single mango is priced at nearly NT$800. Lu Wang-sheng, a third-generation young farmer of "Lu Family Irwin Mango," returned to his hometown at 25 to take over the family business. He cultivated premium Irwin mangoes, which opened up the export market. Not only are famous Yongkang Street shop Smoothie House and chain beverage store Macu Tea his clients, but 20% of his mangoes are also supplied to Carrefour channels, making him one of Taiwan's few mango farmers with brand power and export capabilities.
Pingtung County, due to its climate and soil characteristics, coupled with sea breezes, has mangoes as an important economic fruit tree. It is Taiwan's second-largest mango producing area, and the main source of income for farmers in Fangshan and Shizi townships. The main variety cultivated is Irwin mango, with the harvest season from April to July each year.
Among them, "Lu Family Irwin Mango Orchard" in Fangshan, Pingtung, is one of the long-term cooperative farmers of the retail giant Carrefour. It is now managed by the third-generation young farmer Lu Wang-sheng. Lu Wang-sheng said that the orchard uses grass cultivation and organic milk fertilizer, and also implements "only one fruit per pedicel" to concentrate nutrients and improve fruit sweetness and quality. The orchard has passed export fruit orchard certification and is a well-known indicator of premium mangoes in Pingtung.
He stated that the current main focus is the domestic home delivery market, with 20% of mangoes supplied to Carrefour and about 10% for export. In addition to fresh fruit, rapid freezing is also used to extend the supply period, so mangoes can be supplied for about 8 to 10 months. Clients include ice cream shops and restaurants, such as Smoothie House and Macu Tea, which are all clients of Lu Family mangoes.
Lu Wang-sheng pointed out that current export markets include Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia. Japan has the strictest requirements, not only demanding high pesticide residue testing standards but also requiring mango sweetness to be above 12 degrees Brix. Currently, Japan mainly supplies Isetan department stores and supermarket channels, where a single mango can sell for over 3,700 Japanese Yen (approximately NT$800).
He said that Japan also cultivates Irwin mangoes, but due to Japan's colder climate, they are mainly grown in greenhouses, which results in higher costs and more difficult cultivation. In contrast, Taiwan's climate is suitable for cultivation, and its mangoes have advantages in appearance, quality, and aroma, allowing them to be supplied to Japanese channels at a medium-to-high price.
He also pointed out that the main competitors for Taiwanese Irwin mangoes in the international market include mangoes from Thailand, the Philippines, and India. However, Taiwanese Irwin mangoes have a more appealing red appearance and a rich aroma, making them highly favored in the export market.
Regarding this year's Taiwanese mango market, Lu Wang-sheng stated that last year, the flowering period coincided with the rainy season, coupled with a longer cold spell and a day-night temperature difference of 12 degrees Celsius, which affected the fruit setting rate, resulting in only 10-20% of the usual yield. This year, climate conditions have improved, and the fruit setting rate is expected to increase from the usual 60% to about 80%.
Lu Wang-sheng estimated that last year's export volume was only about 200 to 300 tons. With this year's production stabilizing, the export volume is expected to grow to 1,000 tons, which would be 3 to 4 times that of last year. In response to market demand, he has also continuously increased the contracted cultivation area in recent years to expand the brand's operating scale. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150508
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(Central News Agency reporter He Hsiu-ling, Pingtung, May 8) From a Fangshan orchard in Pingtung all the way to Japan's Isetan department store, a single mango is priced at nearly NT$800. Lu Wang-sheng, a third-generation young farmer of "Lu Family Irwin Mango," returned to his hometown at 25 to take over the family business. He cultivated premium Irwin mangoes, which opened up the export market. Not only are famous Yongkang Street shop Smoothie House and chain beverage store Macu Tea his clients, but 20% of his mangoes are also supplied to Carrefour channels, making him one of Taiwan's few mango farmers with brand power and export capabilities.
Pingtung County, due to its climate and soil characteristics, coupled with sea breezes, has mangoes as an important economic fruit tree. It is Taiwan's second-largest mango producing area, and the main source of income for farmers in Fangshan and Shizi townships. The main variety cultivated is Irwin mango, with the harvest season from April to July each year.
Among them, "Lu Family Irwin Mango Orchard" in Fangshan, Pingtung, is one of the long-term cooperative farmers of the retail giant Carrefour. It is now managed by the third-generation young farmer Lu Wang-sheng. Lu Wang-sheng said that the orchard uses grass cultivation and organic milk fertilizer, and also implements "only one fruit per pedicel" to concentrate nutrients and improve fruit sweetness and quality. The orchard has passed export fruit orchard certification and is a well-known indicator of premium mangoes in Pingtung.
He stated that the current main focus is the domestic home delivery market, with 20% of mangoes supplied to Carrefour and about 10% for export. In addition to fresh fruit, rapid freezing is also used to extend the supply period, so mangoes can be supplied for about 8 to 10 months. Clients include ice cream shops and restaurants, such as Smoothie House and Macu Tea, which are all clients of Lu Family mangoes.
Lu Wang-sheng pointed out that current export markets include Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia. Japan has the strictest requirements, not only demanding high pesticide residue testing standards but also requiring mango sweetness to be above 12 degrees Brix. Currently, Japan mainly supplies Isetan department stores and supermarket channels, where a single mango can sell for over 3,700 Japanese Yen (approximately NT$800).
He said that Japan also cultivates Irwin mangoes, but due to Japan's colder climate, they are mainly grown in greenhouses, which results in higher costs and more difficult cultivation. In contrast, Taiwan's climate is suitable for cultivation, and its mangoes have advantages in appearance, quality, and aroma, allowing them to be supplied to Japanese channels at a medium-to-high price.
He also pointed out that the main competitors for Taiwanese Irwin mangoes in the international market include mangoes from Thailand, the Philippines, and India. However, Taiwanese Irwin mangoes have a more appealing red appearance and a rich aroma, making them highly favored in the export market.
Regarding this year's Taiwanese mango market, Lu Wang-sheng stated that last year, the flowering period coincided with the rainy season, coupled with a longer cold spell and a day-night temperature difference of 12 degrees Celsius, which affected the fruit setting rate, resulting in only 10-20% of the usual yield. This year, climate conditions have improved, and the fruit setting rate is expected to increase from the usual 60% to about 80%.
Lu Wang-sheng estimated that last year's export volume was only about 200 to 300 tons. With this year's production stabilizing, the export volume is expected to grow to 1,000 tons, which would be 3 to 4 times that of last year. In response to market demand, he has also continuously increased the contracted cultivation area in recent years to expand the brand's operating scale. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150508
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.