Taipei, Oct. 25 (CNA) Taiwan's floral exports are expected to surpass US$100 million next year, boosting the fast-growing industry already substantial contribution to Taiwan's agriculture, Council of Agriculture (COA) deputy minister said Thursday.
"While the domestic floral consumption leaves a lot to be desired, I'm proud to say that we're looking at surpassing a US$ 100 million mark in floriculture exports next year, showing the robust development and competitiveness of Taiwan's floriculture industry, " said Lee Chien-chuan at the press conference announcing the upcoming 2007 Taipei International Flower Exhibition (TIFE).
Taiwan's Phalaenopsis Orchids, which are commonly known as Butterfly Orchids, have been especially popular as one of the world's two Butterfly Orchids varieties come from Taiwan, Lee said.
Led by the orchid-growing industry, floriculture has been an unsung hero of Taiwan's agriculture, he said. From 1985 to the present, market output has increased from NT$9.5 billion to NT$12.5 billion and exports have increased from US$9.5 million to US$77 million, he said.
Visitors will be able to see for themselves what Taiwan has to offer in the 2007 TIFE, which will be held in Exhibition Hall I of the Taipei World Trade Center from Oct. 31-Nov. 4, alongside an exhibition of foreign floriculture products from Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan and the Netherlands.
The exhibition will be a "warm-up" for the 2011 International Flower Exposition, which is scheduled to be held in Taipei, said TIFE chief executive Wang Tien-shou.