Taipei: Taiwan is setting its sights on exporting fresh pork to Japan and processed pork products to the United States, following its unique status as the only country in Asia free from African swine fever, classical swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). This ambition was expressed by an agricultural official, highlighting the country's potential resurgence as a key pork supplier.

According to Focus Taiwan, Taiwan was once a major supplier of fresh pork to Japan until a severe FMD outbreak in March 1997 led to a significant reduction in exports. However, after the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) recognized Taiwan as free of FMD without vaccination in 2020, the country is now well-positioned to resume its pork exports. Taiwan's fresh pork exports to the Philippines resumed in September 2023, marking the first shipment in over two decades, followed by exports to Singapore earlier this year after a 15-year hiatus.

Taiwan's declaration as free of ASF in 2024 and classical swine fever in May this year makes it the only Asian country entirely free of the three major swine diseases. The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) sees this as an opportunity to highlight Taiwanese pork quality on the global stage, aiming to expand its pork export markets.

With Taiwan's current disease-free status, export negotiations are expected to be more favorable. Japan is anticipated as the next key market for fresh pork, as stated by Hung Hsiao-chun, deputy head of the MOA's Department of International Affairs. Hung, who is also the incoming head of the agricultural division at Taiwan's U.S. representative office, noted that processed pork products-due to their longer shelf life and fewer import barriers-have broader export potential.

Hung mentioned that while Taiwan's processed meats are already being exported to Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and Australia, they have yet to reach the U.S. or European markets.

Despite the optimism, the MOA acknowledges challenges in maintaining a sufficient pig supply. Yang Min-jui, an executive at Sings Kout Meat in Pingtung County, highlighted that high pork prices in Taiwan and a lack of pigs to satisfy domestic demand complicate steady export efforts. Yang emphasized the need for government intervention to stabilize prices and boost pig production, which would enhance export competitiveness.

Additionally, Lin Jeng-shiang, director-general of the Taiwan Frozen Food Processors Association, pointed out that Taiwan's pig population currently fulfills about 90 percent of domestic demand, relying on imports for the remainder.