Japan exported peaches to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia last year, which were produced in Fukushima Prefecture, retaining their No. 1 status for two years straight. According to the local government, 48 tons of peaches were shipped to the three countries in 2017, up by 57% from last year.
With bans from the 2011 nuclear disaster still in effect all over Asia, Fukushima officials will continue to call on the central government to negotiate with their biggest customers, Hong Kong and Taiwan, to lift bans on their produce.
Exports to Malaysia have reached 15 tons, making up 72.5% of Japan’s peach imports, while exports to Indonesia have reached 1.5 tons, or 51.7^ of the peach imports. Both amounts more than twice that of the previous year.
In Thailand, the amount of stores selling peaches have increased from 50 to 70, situated mostly in the Capital city, Bangkok, after the local government entrusted only one local importer to take steps in increasing sales by sending staff members directly to the stores when the peaches are in season or in high demand.
Produce other than peaches were also making headlines throughout the rest of Southeast Asia as well, most especially in countries with high economic development and relatively fewer negative rumors about Fukushima’s nuclear radiation leaks.
For example, rice exported to Malaysia from Fukushima totaled of 77 tons in 2017, up from zero tons the previous year, and another 16.3 tons to Thailand with persimmons.
To help accelerate the exports of local produce, the Fukushima government has put together a different strategy which will take effect before the end of March. The strategy aims to analyze different preferences and purchasing power by nation and region.
Afterwards, it will draw up conclusions and measures to create new production systems that meet the needs of those markets.
Reference: Fukushima fruit exports to Southeast Asia peachy as contamination fears dissipate
