Taiwan farmers attend Beijing trade fair
By Cao Desheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-10-18 06:03

Taiwan farmers and agricultural enterprises showcased their products alongside their mainland counterparts' yesterday at the ongoing China AG Trade Fair in Beijing.

Twenty-plus types of tropical fruit and more than 200 types of other farm produce from Taiwan have attracted visitors and buyers in search of favourites such as apples, guavas, mangos, tea and coffee.

Taiwan fruits are on display at China AG Trade Fair in Beijing October 17, 2005. [Xinhua]

Forty-six agricultural associations, co-operatives, enterprises and farms from the island are attending the fair.

It is the first time farmers from Taiwan have attended the annual agricultural trade event since the mainland offered zero tariffs on at least 15 types of fruit in May.

"The scene made us feel up-beat and suggests there is a large market for us on the mainland," said Wang Lien-huang, general manager of the Guozhong Fruit & Vegetable Machinery Co Ltd based in Taipei.

Wang attended the cross-Straits agricultural exhibition in Shanghai in July.

"Besides promoting our fruit, we come here to convey the hopes of Taiwan farmers that the mainland government can offer full access to farm produce from the island as it benefits farmers across the Straits," Wang told China Daily.

To Beijing resident Shen Yongqing, however, the tropical fruit from Taiwan seems a little bit expensive.

"A wax apple costs 20 yuan (US$ 2.42), which makes me hesitate to buy much more despite its tasty flavour," Shen said in an interview.