A Double Ten Day reception hosted by the Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium this past Wednesday featured pineapples, guavas, and dragonfruit from Taiwan, which attracted considerable attention from guests and quickly became one of the event's highlights.

Taiwanese fruit has gained increasing popularity in European markets in recent years. Many local government leaders have led delegations to Europe to promote Taiwanese fruit and processed products, while Taiwanese fruit can also be found in some high-end supermarkets. Despite relatively high prices, European consumers remain willing to pay for the fruit’s quality and flavor.

European representative of the Taiwanese exporter Natural House Group Huang Sheng-hsien (黃勝賢) told CNA that he hoped such exchanges would introduce Taiwanese fruit to more Europeans and create more market opportunities for Taiwanese farmers. Huang said preparations for the event were quite fastidious, with special attention paid to each type of fruit’s ideal ripeness, preservation requirements, and presentation. 

Taiwanese expatriates in Belgium attending the reception also took the opportunity to enjoy the fruit from home. Many said they hoped Taiwanese fruit would eventually become available through retail channels in Belgium, allowing them to enjoy a taste of home while abroad.