Taiwan’s mangoes, which foodies highly recognize due to their succulent flesh and aromatic smell, have landed on the European continent.

Mangoes were once considered out of reach unless one visited Taiwan to savor them. However, from this year onwards, the tasty tropical fruit will be available in France and the U.K.

According to Reuters, although Europe tends to import mangoes from India and Pakistan, CEO of fruit export company Natural House Taiwan David Chen (陳俊雄) said Taiwan's mangoes can easily win on flavour, which helps overcome their premium price.

Taiwan is globally recognized for its semiconductors, but has also been known historically for its strong agricultural foundation. The years from 1895 to 1945 witnessed the exporting of numerous agricultural goods like pineapples and bananas.

Although mangoes have long been grown in Taiwan, it wasn't until the 1950s that the sweeter Irwin variety was introduced from the United States, which remains one of Taiwan's most famous mango varieties.

In the previous year, Taiwan produced more than 100,000 metric tons of mangos, but exported only a tiny percentage, mostly to Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

A local farmer named You Tsang-fu (游滄富), who has grown the Summer Snow Mangoes for the past 15 years in Taitung, recently sent five boxes to Europe for testing, which were fully compliant with the pesticide requirements set by the EU. 

“The EU has more stringent rules compared to our local markets regarding fruit choice and field management,” You said, yet he believes that Europeans will adore Taiwanese mangoes.

“The best mango from Taiwan is the Summer Snow,” said You, dubbing it the Louis Vuitton of all mangoes.