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Central News Agency(Central News Agency, Reporter Chen Yun-yu, London, June 24) Taiwanese Irwin mangoes are heading to the UK, starting from a Taiwanese specialty supermarket and online store in London, with plans to penetrate the local high-end consumer market. Several British citizens who sampled the mangoes at the supermarket today were immediately impressed by the difference in Taiwanese Irwin mangoes, praising their delicate, smooth texture and sweet flavor.One citizen, Jane, told CNA that the Taiwanese Irwin mangoes were perfectly ripe, very delicious, and extremely sweet, unlike most mangoes sold in UK supermarkets. She particularly noted the subtle, elegant herbal notes in the aftertaste, which made them unique.Another citizen, Sasha, who identifies as a mango enthusiast, said that compared to the mangoes commonly found in London stores, Taiwanese Irwin mangoes do not contain coarse fibers.Sasha, who has traveled to several Southeast Asian countries and loves Southeast Asian cuisine, said that after being impressed by Taiwanese mangoes, he might have to visit Taiwan.The Taiwanese mangoes are being introduced in the UK by LingerMart, a supermarket located in Richmond, London, founded and operated by Gili from Taiwan.LingerMart recently imported a box of 14 Irwin mangoes from Taiwan through commercial import procedures to conduct supply chain stress tests and gauge market reception. Today, LingerMart opened pre-orders for Taiwanese mangoes on its own online shopping platform, with order closing expected in early July and delivery in mid-July.According to the plan, in addition to nationwide delivery to England, Scotland, and Wales, LingerMart will officially stock Taiwanese mangoes in its physical stores in early July.Besides Irwin mangoes, LingerMart's current pre-order event for Taiwanese fruits also includes Jinzuan pineapples.Gili revealed to CNA that LingerMart will open a second store in the town of Windsor, about a half-hour drive from Richmond. In the future, both of LingerMart's physical stores will be located in areas where the resident population is primarily local British, including a significant middle-class demographic, indicating LingerMart's ambition to penetrate the mainstream British market.Today, customers sampling Taiwanese Irwin mangoes at the LingerMart Richmond store could not resist asking for more. Some even felt that the texture and sweetness of Taiwanese mangoes were more appealing than those of Japanese mangoes.Regarding the circumstances under which Gili decided to import Taiwanese mangoes, Gili told CNA in an interview at the store that when she saw Taiwanese mangoes successfully enter the French market, her passion ignited, and she was determined to bring the freshest Taiwanese mangoes directly to the UK from the origin.However, importing mangoes is just the beginning. Gili said she hopes to import seasonal fresh fruits from Taiwan in the future, such as dragon fruit, lychees, and pomelos, depending on the season.In addition to Taiwanese fruits, LingerMart plans to gradually introduce high-quality Taiwanese aquatic products such as milkfish, as well as specialty products from farmers' associations across Taiwan, including organic agricultural products from Hualien.LingerMart, which started as an online store, plans to continue leveraging the advantages of both online and physical sales channels to expand its range of Taiwanese products while building a more vivid, multi-dimensional, and in-depth image of Taiwanese food culture among British consumers.Notably, at the checkout counter of the LingerMart store, a prominent display features "Notes on Taiwan," the first Taiwanese novel to win the prestigious International Booker Prize in the UK in May this year.Taiwanese agricultural products also have the potential to shine in Europe. However, in addition to superior quality, accurate market positioning and pricing are crucial factors for the sustainable operation of Taiwanese fruits in Europe.Regarding food safety standards and plant and animal quarantine regulations, according to current UK regulations, fruits that Taiwan also produces abundantly, such as mangoes, guavas, pineapples, bananas, and persimmons, are classified as items with relatively low safety risks, which provides some convenience for import practical operations.According to the LingerMart official website, mango pre-orders are available in two options: a box of 2.5 kg (7 to 8 fruits) and a box of 5 kg (15 to 16 fruits), priced at £117.99 (approximately NT$4950) and £192.99 per box, respectively.The UK has a developed retail consumer market and a diverse international trade network. Mangoes are not uncommon in local stores, with one of the most common forms of sale being convenient pre-cut diced mangoes in boxes, and supermarkets also offer whole fruits at relatively affordable prices.Fan Zhi-lun, LingerMart's international trade manager, told CNA earlier today that market research results indicate that high-quality fruits from Taiwan are not suitable for competing in general UK supermarkets and should target the high-end consumer market. Some high-end restaurants have already expressed interest in purchasing after sampling. Gili added that any potential customer can immediately feel the uniqueness of Taiwanese fruits once they actually taste them.The marketing positioning of Taiwanese fruits in the UK market may be closer to that of Japanese fruits. For example, in the UK, "premium" mangoes from Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, can be purchased, with a retail price of nearly £50 per fruit (including tax, excluding shipping) for a single fruit weighing about 400 grams, while other categories of Japanese mangoes with a more "affordable" grade can also retail for over £20 per fruit.In addition to their unique quality, another advantage of Taiwanese fruits may be their rich variety, with changes throughout the year.Gili said she will be committed to introducing more Taiwanese agricultural and specialty products to let British consumers "know the power of Taiwan as a fruit kingdom." (as a) fruit kingdom." (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150625)Stand with facts, your every donation is a force to protect the freedom of the pressDownload the CNA "One-Stop News" APP to get the latest news in real timeThis website's text, images, and videos may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.