First Shipment of Taiwanese Mangoes and Lychees Arrives in UK, Targeting European Markets Through Diverse Channels

(Central News Agency, reporter Chen Yun-yu, London, July 1) Taiwan is expanding its fruit export presence in Europe. A shipment of Tainan Irwin mangoes and Taichung Black Leaf lychees successfully cleared customs at Manchester Airport in the UK today. A total of one container was air-freighted and is being distributed to various channels. The cold chain was maintained from Taiwan to the UK to ensure quality and freshness.

This is the first batch of Taiwanese mangoes and lychees to officially land in the UK through commercial import channels this year. The flight departed from Taoyuan Airport and arrived in Manchester via Frankfurt, Germany.

Cherrain Global, an import and wholesale company based in Northwest England, is introducing Taiwanese mangoes and lychees to the UK. Kris, the General Manager of Cherrain Global, who just concluded his business negotiation trip in Taiwan, told CNA that the company aims to establish a "sustainable and replicable" model for exporting Taiwanese agricultural products to the UK, allowing more high-quality Taiwanese fruits to be sold in the UK long-term and build a market reputation that can withstand scrutiny.

Kris pointed out that the entire process, from harvesting at the origin, selection and grading, washing, steaming, cooling, quarantine, to the final packaging for export to the UK, was strictly controlled to ensure fresh flavors and to present the unique characteristics of Taiwanese fruits from their origin as much as possible.

In Taiwan, "Sunray International," a platform for integrating Taiwanese agricultural export resources, assisted Cherrain Global in managing local resources and handling export operations such as logistics and customs clearance.

Regarding commercial promotion and channel development in the UK, Kris told CNA that the company plans to simultaneously develop diverse markets to test the acceptance of Taiwanese fruits by different consumer groups.

Kris gave examples, stating that Cherrain Global already has partners including Asian supermarkets, online platforms for Asian food sales, and local fruit and vegetable wholesale markets. Additionally, they will continue to promote the use of Taiwanese fruits as ingredients for dishes, desserts, or beverages to the catering and dessert industries.

The batch of Tainan Irwin mangoes officially entering the UK today is categorized by grade. Kris indicated that for Taiwanese fruits with exceptionally outstanding quality, Cherrain Global has ambitions to enter mid-to-high-end supermarkets, premium department stores, and specialty food shops in the UK, such as Marks & Spencer (M&S), Waitrose supermarkets, and department stores like Harrods.

A box of two premium Miyazaki mangoes from Japan, known as "Taiyo no Tamago" (Egg of the Sun), sells for £160 (approximately NT$6,800) per box at Harrods.

Cherrain Global has long been based in Northwest England and also operates throughout the UK. Notably, Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Manchester, a major city in Northwest England, and the only candidate for the leadership of the ruling Labour Party, recently announced that if elected, he would establish a Prime Minister's Northern Office in Manchester to bridge the economic development gap between the north and south of England. This is expected to create benefits for the consumer market in Northern England.

Kris told CNA that Cherrain Global has always firmly believed in the strong potential of high-quality Taiwanese fruits entering the UK and continental European markets. However, besides superior quality, two other key factors for success are ensuring a stable supply chain and having a comprehensive grasp of market channels.

According to Cherrain Global's observations, during peak seasons, Taiwanese fruits often experience price collapses due to over-concentration of production, leading to farmers working hard without adequate compensation. Overseas channels can therefore be a solution, not just for "selling the products," but more importantly for "increasing the added value of agricultural products."

Kris mentioned that Cherrain Global's goals include establishing "Taiwan Pavilions" or dedicated zones for Taiwanese agricultural and specialty products in various physical retail channels in the future. This would concentrate the display of high-quality fruits and other agricultural products from different regions of Taiwan, making them more accessible to consumers in the UK, thereby fostering deeper understanding and timely purchasing.

As a major retail consumption hub in Europe, the UK can serve as an important springboard for Taiwan's fruit exports to the entire European continent. Kris revealed that Cherrain Global plans to introduce various seasonal Taiwanese fruits to the UK year-round, in line with Taiwan's four seasons and optimal harvest periods. These include mangoes, lychees, pomelos, pineapples, guavas, dragon fruits, wax apples, Jades, passion fruits, bananas, and Hami melons.

Kris emphasized that flexible adaptation to seasons and continuous year-round supply of diverse products will not only help ensure that consumers purchase fruits at their freshest and most delicious state but also help to repeatedly embed Taiwanese fruits in the minds of UK consumers. This will establish an image of Taiwan's fruits as being rich in variety, offering surprises throughout the year, and being stably supplied, thereby fostering consumer anticipation and purchasing habits.

Kris pointed out that Cherrain Global hopes this import of Taiwanese fruits to the UK will not be a one-time success but will mark the beginning of a long-term export journey to Europe, transforming Taiwanese fruits from "overproduction" to "strong sales." (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150702

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