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Brand name bell fruit produced in southern Taiwan's Nanchou Township will be exported to Germany and France late this month for the first time, industry sources said Monday.
The fruit, also known as wax apples, is being grown by graduates of a fruit plantation and marketing class sponsored by the Nanchou Farmers Association in the southernmost county of Pingtung.
Led by class leader Tsai Shun-teh, the 17 young entrepreneurs have worked hard to improve their growing techniques over the years and are now searching for overseas markets for their brand name "Honey Fruit." They began exporting their product to Canada some 10 years ago and successfully tapped into the Chinese market in 2005.
"Today, 'Honey Fruit' is one of the most popular gift items in China and Hong Kong," Tsai said proudly.
After many years of effort, the "Honey Fruit" passed the European Union's rigorous quality tests and secured export certification three years ago and will be shipped to Germany and France after the Lunar New Year holiday for the first time, Tsai said.
To maintain the fine quality of their bell fruit, Tsai said his class has insisted on only one harvest per year. One local trading company has consistently ordered 60 to 100 tons of the fruit for delivery to China and Hong Kong annually, he added.
Because of damage from Typhoon Morakot, which wreaked havoc in southern Taiwan last August, the bell fruit harvest season in Nanchou started one month later than normal, pushing the export season back.
"Right now, our Honey Fruit is mainly being sold in the domestic market. The harvest season is expected to peak after the Lunar New Year holiday when exports will also shift into high gear," he said.
This year's Lunar New Year holiday falls between Feb. 13 and Feb. 21.
Source: www.etaiwannews.com
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