Taiwan was once a major supplier of fresh pork to Japan, but a severe outbreak of FMD in March 1997 led to a dramatic decline in exports. In 2020, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) officially recognized Taiwan as FMD-free without the use of vaccines, paving the way for the resumption of fresh pork exports.
In September 2023, Taiwan successfully resumed fresh pork exports to the Philippines for the first time in over two decades. Earlier this year, exports to Singapore were also restarted after a 15-year break. With the country being declared free of ASF in 2024 and free of CSF in May 2025, Taiwan is now uniquely positioned in Asia as the only country free of all three major swine diseases.
The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) sees this achievement as a critical opportunity to showcase the quality and safety of Taiwanese pork on the global market. According to Hung Hsiao-chun, Deputy Head of the MOA’s Department of International Affairs and the incoming agricultural representative to Taiwan's U.S. office, the timing is favorable for advancing export negotiations with Japan for fresh pork.
Processed pork products—such as frozen, dried, or vacuum-packed meat treated at high temperatures—offer even broader export opportunities due to longer shelf life and fewer regulatory barriers. While Taiwan already exports such products to Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and Australia, it has yet to break into the U.S. and European markets.
Despite the strong export potential, challenges remain. Domestic pork prices in Taiwan are relatively high, and the local pig supply is currently insufficient to support large-scale exports. Yang Min-jui, an executive at Sings Kout Meat in Pingtung County, noted that Taiwan's pork isn't very competitive price-wise and that the country struggles to meet even domestic demand.
Lin Jeng-shiang, Director-General of the Taiwan Frozen Food Processors Association, added that Taiwan currently produces about 90% of its domestic pork needs, with the remaining 10% covered by imports.
Officials emphasize that stabilizing prices and expanding pig production will be key to enhancing Taiwan’s competitiveness and ensuring a consistent supply for the export market. Reopening the Japanese market, they say, could bring benefits to both countries, provided these internal challenges are addressed.
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