Taichung's mandarins, prized for their excellent quality and unique flavor, have teamed up with Brunei's First Emporium department store to bring a golden celebration of joy and prosperity. On January 21, the Agriculture Bureau of Taichung City Government(hereinafter as "the Agriculture Bureau" ) and Fengyuan District Farmers' Association traveled to Brunei to launch the 2024 Taichung City Premium Ponkan Agricultural Product Fair. They promoted Taichung's premium, locally-grown tangerines at the famous department store, introducing Brunei consumers to delicious, fresh agricultural products from Taiwan.
The Agriculture Bureau noted that after more than three years of the pandemic, restrictions on air travel have been lifted since last year, reconnecting the world and allowing Taiwan to re-establish its global connections. In response, the city government organized various international events like the World Baseball Classic, international educational exchanges, the launch of new international flights, and New Year's Eve performances by overseas celebrities to encourage global interaction. Additionally, in recent years, the Agriculture Bureau has been guiding industries and assisting farmer associations in various farming communities in upgrading their sectors while establishing the image of “Taichung, Taiwan” Ponkan mandarins overseas to improve market segmentation, thereby enhancing Taichung's image and promotional effectiveness and contributing to higher profits for local farmers.
According to the Agriculture Bureau, Taichung's Ponkan mandarins reach their peak season in mid-October, with harvesting typically lasting until the end of December. Some bagged mandarins, which are stored in advance and join into market supply starting in January. By this time, their appearance has turned completely golden, and they can be stored for approximately three months, extending the supply until March. The golden color of these mandarins is considered auspicious, making them an ideal festive gift locally. It is hoped that through this event, with quality assurance from the Agriculture Bureau and farmers' associations, the tastiest "Taiwan Taichung" Ponkan mandarins can be promoted to Brunei consumers. This will also facilitate the export of other agricultural products like oranges.
Furthermore, from the end of last year until now, the Agriculture Bureau has successfully marketed approximately 650 metric tons of Ponkan mandarins to countries such as Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Canada, receiving high praise for their quality from local consumers!
The Agriculture Bureau highlighted that Taichung's Murcott oranges are also entering their peak production period. The total Murcott orange cultivation area in Taiwan is 1,955 hectares, there's the largest area of 599 hectares in Taichung City and the highest annual yield of 9,859 metric tons. These oranges, mainly cultivated in areas like Dongshi, Shigang, and XinShe, are known for their juicy, tender flesh, rich flavor, thin and vibrant peel, and excellent durability for storage and transportation. Its sugar content can even reach over 11-15°Bx. As the Spring Festival approaches, the Agriculture Bureau encourages citizens to support these delicious Murcott oranges and enjoy locally sourced high-quality agricultural products.
Distinguished guests attending today's event included Representative Yea-Ping Shih, Division Chief Yu Shang, and Deputy Division Chief Chang Chung-yen from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Brunei Darussalam, Senior Technical Specialist Lin Chun-liang of the Agriculture Bureau, Director Chang Chiao-chun of Fengyuan District Farmers' Association, Managing Director Lin Chien-cheng of First Emporium in Brunei, and Council member Chuang Hsi-shan of the Overseas Community Affairs Council.

Contact person: Associate Technical Specialist Chen, Marketing and Processing Division, Agriculture Bureau of Taichung City Government, 04-22289111, ext. 56512