Taiwan’s premium pork is returning to Singapore once again and a month-long promotional event will be held in July in Singapore that includes the tasting of the country’s speciality pork delicacies.
The promotional event “Taiwan Premium Pork Festival & Press Conference” kicked off on July 1 at Thomson Plaza and is part of the broader efforts by the Taiwan Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), supported by the Commerce Development Research Institute (CDRI), to expand the reach of Taiwan’s premium pork to the overseas market.
The kick-off event features tasting of Taiwanese premium pork as well as showcasing specialty pork delicacies and popular Taiwanese dishes such as braised pork rice, Taiwanese sausages, pork floss and pork meatballs, allowing Singapore consumers to discover the superior, sweet and tender quality of Taiwanese pork and the diverse culinary appeal of Taiwanese food culture.
Promotional events will also be held from July 13 to 26 at the Ang Mo Kio Hub.
CDRI is organising the events to strengthen awareness of Taiwanese premium pork in local consumers after the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) lifted the import ban on Taiwanese pork and pork products in April, after the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) officially reinstated Taiwan’s African Swine Fever (ASF)-free status, reaffirming Taiwan’s position as a trusted and high-quality pork source for the region.
Speaking at the kick-off event at Thomson Plaza, Taiwan’s Deputy Minister of MOA Hu Jung-I said that Taiwan is the only country in Asia recognised as free from the three major swine diseases — classical swine fever (CSF), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and ASF, benefitting from long-term investments in animal disease prevention, farm management, and food safety of Taiwan’s pig farming industry.
Hu added that Singapore enforces strict standards for food safety and product quality, and that the entry of Taiwanese pork products into local retail and food service markets demonstrates that the quality of Taiwan’s livestock products has earned international recognition and trust.
Singapore is an important export market for Taiwanese agricultural products, where consumers place strong emphasis on food safety and quality. In recent years, Taiwanese food products have successfully entered the local retail and foodservice channels, reflecting the strong market confidence in its quality.
Wu Wen-Ling, Singapore Deputy Representative for the Taipei office who has been in Singapore for four years, said at the event, “Taiwan’s premium pork is making a comeback in Singapore.”
Wu said that in addition to the high safety standards, Taiwan’s premium pork commands a premium because it is healthy and tasty. He invites the public to try it, saying “Eating is believing.”
Two shoppers, declining to be named, bought two packets of frozen Taiwan’s premium pork. One of them commented, “The pork belly is not that salty and the taste is very original,” adding that the taste is “authentic” and “not a lot of seasoning.”
“Taiwan’s premium pork is very tender,” said another shopper.
Representatives of some local retail and food service companies attended the event and are exploring the feasibility of selling Taiwanese premium pork in Singapore.
Jeffrey Lin, business manager from Tong Lian Food, said his company imports primarily Australian pork and is optimistic, saying Taiwan’s premium pork is tasty, but needs more information and research on it.
Felix Ang from Good Luck Kitchen felt there is a market in Singapore and the difference between the price of Taiwanese premium pork and the regular pork is a factor.
“If the price differential is too big, most people can’t eat it everyday. However, people could enjoy the special flavour of Taiwan’s premium pork during festive occasions.”
Pinnacle of Taiwan’s Agricultural Achievements
Taiwan’s premium pork is naturally tender, flavourful and free of unwanted odours that represents the pinnacle of Taiwan’s agricultural achievements.
Following the suspension of imports of Taiwanese premium pork into Singapore on Oct 28 last year after the breakout of ASF, the SFA lifted the ban on Apr 9 following WOAH’s announcement that Taiwanese pigs are free from the virus.
Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) announced on Apr 6 that Taiwan has restored its status as a self-declared ASF-free country with the WOAH, according to the MOA.
MOA said, “Following WOAH’s acknowledgment, Taiwan is once again the only country in Asia free of the three major swine diseases,” OCAC added.
Taiwan’s declaration came after an isolated ASF case broke out in a farm in Taiwan’s Taichung city in October last year. Taiwanese authorities took swift action and “the farm was cleaned and disinfected” in accordance with required procedures.
The farm was confirmed to be virus-free after samples collected a month following the outbreak “came back negative.”
OCAC also said that MOA declared “the application passed WOAH’s rigorous review in just over one month, far faster than its original estimate.”
Re-entry of Taiwanese pork into Singapore was the result of Taiwan’s dedication as well as efforts in controlling and ensuring that its pig industry is free from swine diseases.
Taiwanese pork first entered the Singapore market in 2024 after a 15-year hiatus following SFA’s ban on the export of frozen port and pork products from Taiwan in 2009 as the country was facing problems in controlling the swine flu.
Since then, Taiwan has made strides in controlling the swine flu through the introduction of slaughterhouse-related Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification.
HACCP is a preventive system that ensures food safety by addressing potential biological, chemical, and physical hazards during production.
11 pig and 17 poultry slaughterhouses in Taiwan have obtained the HACCP certification since its implementation.
Cha I Shan Foods Co. was the first Taiwanese company that exported fresh pork to Singapore after obtaining the HACCP certification.
