Taiwan-grown Oncidium orchids are edging closer to approval for export as cut flowers to New Zealand. (Courtesy of BAPHIQ)

Taiwan-grown Oncidium orchids are greenlighted to start first stage preparations for export as cut flowers to New Zealand, according to the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine.
 
An import health standard pursuant to New Zealand’s biosecurity laws for the flowers was recently issued by the Antipodean nation’s Ministry of Primary Industries, the BAPHIQ under the Council of Agriculture said April 11. Local disease and pest control protocols, as well as cultivation, harvest, packaging and shipping procedures, will now be revised accordingly, the bureau added.
 
Other measures such as inspection, quarantine and traceability pertaining to production and export must also be in compliance with New Zealand’s standards, the BAPHIQ said, adding that all changes will be reviewed and agreed upon prior to the commencement of exports.
 
According to the bureau, the New Zealand market opening is the result of over 15 years of bilateral trade consultations and negotiations. In addition, the signing of a Taiwan-New Zealand economic cooperation pact in 2013 established requisite agricultural sanitary and phytosanitary measures governing exports between the two sides.
 
COA statistics reveal that in 2016, Taiwan exported 1,187 metric tons of Oncidium orchid cut flowers—or 80 percent of total production—valued at US$11.96 million. The No. 1 destination was Japan at 1,151 metric tons followed by Hong Kong, 21 metric tons; Singapore, 8 metric tons; and the U.S., 3 metric tons.
 
The BAPHIQ said the drive into New Zealand is part of efforts to create new opportunities for Taiwan’s orchid growers outside the existing 20-plus export markets. It is also expected to further enhance Taiwan’s competitiveness in the international orchid industry, the bureau added. (KWS-E)