Pingtung golden diamond pineapples have become very popular in China, and the increased demand for the fruit has led to an increase in domestic production.
The impact of the increased sales in China is that the price per jin (600g) is NT$2 more than last year, according to a UDN report. The demand from China stems from the belief that Taiwanese golden diamond pineapples offer the best quality and flavor.
The increased pineapple exports come after overall agricultural exports to China fell 19.4 percent last year, though the value of the exports only declined 9.4 percent, according to the Council of Agriculture (COA).
To meet demand, which increased 50.7 percent in 2016 per COA data, domestic pineapple production has expanded to about 4,000 hectares. Due to the warmer winter, pineapple crop yields are expected to increase with improved quality this year as the growing season began last month, according to a China Times report.
