On March 9, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Huang Chao-chin visited Fukuoka, Japan, to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Tung Yu-hsien, General Manager of the Shalu District Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Cooperative in Taichung City, and Shigemitsu Katsuaki, President of Shigemitsu Industry Co., Ltd. (Ajisen Ramen). This partnership aims to introduce the "Rural Good Products" brand, supported by the Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation Agency, into the Japanese market.
This collaboration marks the first-ever export of Taiwanese Braised Minced Pork Soft Pouch Canned Food to Japan. The products will be available through a store-in-store concept within Ajisen Ramen outlets in Kumamoto. The initial rollout will take place at Ajisen Ramen&rsquos flagship store, Tomiai Store, and East BP Store, offering a total of 10 Rural Good Products, including Aiyu Jelly Drink, Dried Mango, and more.
The first batch of 10 high-quality Taiwanese rural products to be launched (Photo/Source: Ministry of Agriculture Website)
A Decade of Rural Good Products &mdash Strengthening Taiwan-Japan Agricultural Cooperation
Since 2015, the Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation Agency has been promoting the "Rural Good Products" initiative, selecting 483 high-quality products from 314 businesses. Deputy Minister Huang highlighted that this collaboration with Ajisen Ramen marks a significant step towards the internationalization of Taiwan's rural industry.
The Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation Agency emphasized that this partnership is not only a milestone for Taiwanese rural products entering Japan but also a catalyst for greater international business opportunities and deeper Taiwan-Japan agricultural cooperation.
Ajisen Ramen stated that Taiwanese rural products offer high quality and unique flavors. By leveraging its extensive retail network, Ajisen Ramen aims to introduce these products to more Japanese consumers, fostering a win-win relationship.
Rural Good Products in Kumamoto &mdash Promoting Taiwan's Premium Agricultural Specialties
The first wave of 10 Rural Good Products showcases a variety of Taiwanese specialty items. Among them, the Hand-Cut Braised Minced Pork is made using Taiwanese pork, free from chemical additives. The pork pieces are rich in collagen, with a distinct texture and rich flavor, marking the first successful export of this Taiwanese canned food product to Japan.
Rural Good Product - Traditional Hand-Cut Braised Minced Pork (Photo/Source: Ministry of Agriculture Website)
The Aiyu Jelly Drink is made from native Taiwanese Aiyu seeds, blended with passion fruit, pineapple, and honey lemon for a refreshing taste that&rsquos even more enjoyable when chilled.
The Dried Mango is sourced from traceable certified farms, using natural fresh mangoes with no artificial coloring or additives, preserving the original aroma and chewy texture.
Additional Rural Good Products hitting Japanese shelves include:
- Luo Dong Health Preserved Eggs
- Wood-fired Longan
- White Fungus with Rock Sugar and Lychee
All these products are carefully crafted using premium Taiwanese agricultural ingredients, emphasizing no artificial additives and strict adherence to food safety regulations, ensuring consumers can enjoy them with confidence.
Strengthening Taiwan-Japan Cooperation &mdash Creating New Opportunities for Rural Industries
The Ministry of Agriculture stated that Ajisen Ramen plans to expand the range of Rural Good Products across its 636 domestic and international outlets in accordance with the signed MOU. Additionally, both parties will explore opportunities for developing co-branded products.
This collaboration not only enhances the global visibility of Taiwan's rural products but also opens up more growth opportunities for rural businesses. The Ministry of Agriculture emphasized its commitment to further developing Taiwan's rural industry, strengthening international partnerships, and promoting Taiwan&rsquos premium agricultural products on the global stage.
