Two tons of Taiwanese pineapples arrived in Australia, selling for as much as 90 yuan each. What do you think of this?

Since the mainland suspended imports of Taiwanese pineapples on March 1, a large number of Taiwanese pineapples have been stranded locally, causing farmers to worry. The Taiwan authorities have been constantly seeking other markets for pineapples. The Taiwan Council of Agriculture announced on the 28th that two tons of Taiwanese pineapples had successfully arrived in Australia.

The cost of shipping Taiwanese pineapples to Australia is extremely high

In Australia, people have very high quality requirements for agricultural products. Therefore, the country’s inspection of imported fruits is also very strict. There is about 10,080 nautical miles from Taiwan to Australia, which is a very long distance. In order to maintain high quality and freshness when this batch of pineapples arrive in Australia, all pineapples are transported to Australia by air. The cost of air transportation is extremely high. It is understood that the air freight alone for each kilogram of pineapples is as high as NT$300, which is about NT$69.

The market competitiveness of this batch of pineapples is not very high

Everyone knows that the climate in Australia is very suitable for the growth of pineapples, so there is a very sufficient pineapple production in Australia. Because the shipping cost of Taiwanese pineapples is extremely high, the price of each pineapple in Australia is NT$400, which is about 92 yuan. Just imagine, since Australia has enough pineapples for people to buy and the quality is very good, how many people will be willing to buy Taiwanese pineapples shipped by air at such a high price? Taiwanese residents living in Australia bluntly stated that only Taiwanese compatriots in Australia would buy Taiwanese pineapples to relieve their homesickness. Therefore, after these Taiwanese pineapples are shipped to Australia, they will be almost uncompetitive in the local market and will be unsaleable in large quantities and rot in the Australian market.

This behavior is not flattering at home and abroad

As this batch of pineapples was shipped to Australia, it aroused questions from the management of Pitana Farm, Australia’s largest pineapple supplier. General Manager Si Cole said that they grow a large number of pineapples in Australia and can supply them to the market all year round. They are obviously fresher than imported ones. Therefore, we have to ask, why should we take risks and import Taiwanese pineapples that pose biosecurity risks? Many Australians also said that mainland China, which is a huge market for Taiwanese pineapples, has suspended the import of pineapples due to quarantine issues, but what is Taiwan's intention to transport these risky pineapples to their country regardless of the cost? This move not only caused strong dissatisfaction among the Australian people, but also sparked controversy on the island of Taiwan. Taiwanese agricultural experts said that this batch of Taiwanese pineapples was purchased entirely at a guaranteed price, which will weaken the competitiveness of Taiwan's agricultural products in the long run.

It seems that Taiwan’s shipment of pineapples to Australia this time is obviously a thankless move, and it is basically a betrayal. Many people say that this is not a normal export channel, but a political operation by the Taiwan authorities. No matter what, the Australian people won't buy it. It's just a pity for those wasted pineapples.