1. West Japan Railway Company Visits the Ministry of Agriculture to Discuss Plans for Taiwan's Grouper Market Entry in Japan

In late October 2024, Japan opened its market to imports of Taiwan-cultivated grouper. The Ministry of Agriculture has actively promoted the expansion of Taiwan’s market in Japan. Following the successful first sales of Taiwan’s grouper in Japan earlier in February, the Ministry will also collaborate with West Japan Railway Company (JR West) to hold a series of events, including a special limited-menu featuring Taiwan’s grouper on JR West’s sightseeing trains. On February 24, JR West President Koichi Hayashida visited Taiwan to meet with Minister of Agriculture Chen Jun-ji to further explore potential future cooperation between the two parties.

2. Banana prices to remain high until May or June: Ministry

The price of bananas in Taiwan, which has shot up in recent weeks due to crop damage from several typhoons last year, is expected to remain high until May or June, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) said.　According to the MOA's Agriculture and Food Agency, the price of bananas at Taipei's First and Second Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Markets on Monday was NT$107.1 (US$3.27) per kilogram, up 84.2 percent from NT$58.1 on the same date last year.