Contact Person: Ms. Liu
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Publication Date: 09:00, March 24, 2026
The 2026 FOODEX JAPAN recently concluded, with the Miaoli County Government continuing to participate under its “Flavors of Miaoli” brand. A key development emerged during this year’s event: Japanese trading company ANSMING JAPAN proactively choose to display Miaoli products at its booth and initiated product selection and distribution channel evaluations. This development indicates that Miaoli agricultural products have entered an observation and testing phase within the Japanese market.
According to ANSMING JAPAN President Takahashi Yurika, the decision to feature Miaoli products stemmed from market observations made during the 2025 Taiwan Fair at Keio Department Store in Tokyo, in which the Miaoli County Government participated. At that time, products under the “Flavors of Miaoli” brand, along with the “Heaven’s Tea, Earth’s Wine” series promoted by the Taichung Branch of the Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, underwent sales testing and received positive market feedback. This experience demonstrated Japanese consumers’ acceptance of Miaoli products, prompting the company to include them in this year’s exhibition and actively seek potential partners.
At present, Miaoli products are undergoing multi-channel testing across the Japanese market, gradually accumulating consumer feedback. Takahashi noted that Miaoli products are distinguished by their strong sense of origin and cultural identity. Coupled with Japanese consumers’ familiarity with items such as bubble tea and taro-based desserts, products including grass jelly, processed taro products, and bubble tea kits were selected for the display. Their performance across different retail channels will continue to be closely observed.
This development builds upon prior sales validation at the Keio Department Store Taiwan Fair, evolving from initial testing to proactive product selection and channel evaluation by Japanese businesses. It reflects a transition from government-led promotion to a more market-driven mechanism.
Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-Chin stated that bringing agricultural products to international markets is never determined by a single exhibition, but rather involves a long-term process spanning brand building, market testing, and eventual adoption by distribution channels. He noted that the proactive selection of Miaoli products by Japanese businesses and their entry into the evaluation stage indicates growing market recognition. However, whether these products can establish a lasting presence will ultimately depend on product quality and the capabilities of local enterprises, with the market serving as the final arbiter.
Chung further pointed out that recent global developments — from energy price fluctuations to fertilizer supply constraints — have affected agricultural costs and had an impact on the global food system. “We must not only focus on how to sell our products, but also consider how Miaoli’s agriculture can remain resilient and sustainable under such changing conditions,” he said.
He emphasized that the promotion of the “Flavors of Miaoli” brand is not aimed at achieving short-term results, but rather at supporting local producers as they gradually enter markets and accumulate experience. “Amid global uncertainties, the government aims to serve as a stable support for local businesses, enabling their efforts to reach international markets and achieve long-term success,” Chung added. Whether these products can secure stable distribution channels will ultimately depend on continued market validation.
The county government noted that Japanese partners have already expressed interest in further cooperation, with additional market testing expected to continue in the second half of this year. The outcomes of this exhibition should not be viewed as a final result, but rather as the starting point for entry into international market evaluation systems and another fruitful step forward in Miaoli’s ongoing integration into global supply chains.