By Eryk Michael Smith/KHT Staff. Images via Pingtung County Govt.
PINGTUNG — Pingtung County’s signature Irwin mangoes (愛文芒果) are headed to France, marking a breakthrough in Taiwan’s efforts to expand agricultural exports into the European market.
The Ministry of Agriculture said the export breakthrough follows years of efforts to meet the European Union’s stringent quarantine and food safety requirements. The EU approved imports of Taiwanese guava and mangoes to all member states in 2025 and earlier this year expanded market access to include Taiwanese lychees and dragon fruit.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture (農業部) held a launch ceremony on Tuesday in Fangshan Township (枋山鄉), where the first six-ton shipment of Taiwanese mangoes, dragon fruit, and lychees was loaded for export to Europe.
The shipment includes Pingtung-grown Irwin mangoes that will be sold through Rungis, the largest wholesale food market in Paris and one of Europe’s most important produce distribution centers.
Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季), Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi (周春米), Legislator Hsu Fu-kuei (徐富癸), exporters and local farmers attended the event.
County Magistrate Chou said Pingtung is Taiwan’s earliest-producing Irwin mango region, with harvest season typically running from April through June.
“With support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Pingtung mangoes are leading Taiwan’s entry into the European market,” she said.
She noted that the fruit has overcome both the challenge of shipping more than 10,000 kilometers and Europe’s strict import requirements. Following arrival at Rungis, the mangoes are expected to reach Michelin-starred restaurants and premium supermarkets in France.
Pingtung mangoes are already exported to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, and the county government said it is continuing to invest in export infrastructure. A new international-standard agricultural packaging and processing facility is expected to begin operations early next year, featuring vapor heat treatment and cold-chain systems designed to support overseas shipments.
The first shipment totals six metric tons of fruit, with mangoes making up the majority of the load. Chen said the fruit is expected to reach French store shelves within three to five days.
As Pingtung’s mango harvest enters its peak season, the county government said consumers can purchase local Irwin mangoes through retailers including Carrefour, PX Mart and SOGO department stores. Promotional sales events are also scheduled for June 6 and 7 at Taipei Hope Plaza.
