대만의 매실산업

Japanese Apricot in Taiwan

Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) is the national symbol and was once the most important temperate fruit crop in Taiwan. Fruiting cultivars were originally introduced from southern China but commercial production was not significant until the 1970s. Currently 6,400 ha of Japanese apricot orchards distribute on shallow mountain hills in the central and the southern part of the island. Taiwanese commercial fruiting cultivars are plausibly chance seedlings or sports from the early introduction and are very low chilling required for budbreak. Ornamental cultivars have been mainly introduced from Japan but cultivations have been limited in high altitude area due to their high chilling requirement. In 2009, Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute's breeding program released the first low chill ornamental cultivar 'Tainung No.2' with a great ornamental potential in subtropical regions. Cultivation and production of Japanese apricot fruit in Taiwan continue to dwindle due to the declining Japanese market share. Ongoing industry transformation to increase domestic consumption and consumer's interest will sustain the future of Japanese apricot in Taiwan.