Fukushima fully resumes Taiwan peach exports for 1st time since disaster

Fukushima, Japan (Kyodo) -- Peach shipments from Fukushima Prefecture to Taiwan have recommenced at full capacity for the very first time since the export ban was imposed in the aftermath of the 2011 nuclear catastrophe in northeastern Japan. Approximately 4.5 tons of peaches, one of the country's leading producers, are projected to be dispatched to Taiwan by September 11, according to farm cooperatives and prefectural authorities.

This resumption follows the removal of import restrictions on Japanese food products, which were reinstated in November of the previous year.

Prior to the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear incident, Taiwan was a significant buyer of Fukushima's peaches. In 2010, the prefecture exported 28.8 tons of peaches, with 18.5 tons heading to Taiwan, as reported by local authorities. The export halt persisted after the disaster, but trial shipments began in 2023 and 2025, following successful radioactive material testing that confirmed the safety of the produce. These shipments, however, were still relatively modest.

On Monday, a total of 40 boxes of peaches, weighing around 200 kilograms, departed from a packing facility. The fruit is set to be sold at department stores throughout Taiwan after being transported by air via Tokyo's Toyosu wholesale market and Narita airport, situated near the Japanese capital. Yoshiyuki Fujino, an official with JA Fukushima Mirai, a regional agricultural cooperative, expressed his satisfaction with the resumption.

He stated, "This will instill confidence in producers and represents a significant milestone in elevating the brand value of Fukushima peaches."