A year-round production strategy for the wax apple in Taiwan

Wax apple (Syzygium samarangense Merr. & Perry) has been a popular fruit crop in Taiwan because of its refreshing taste and attractive appearance. Pingtung County, accounting for 78% of the total planting area, is the major cultivation area. Regardless of the stable domestic and export market demand, the production area in Taiwan has decreased by almost 30% in the past decade, mainly due to labor shortage, high technical threshold, and production risk. Nevertheless, the cultivation area in central Taiwan has been increasing in recent years, especially in Nantou, Chiayi, and Yunlin Counties. The expansion of production regions facilitates year-round supply of wax apple fruits. By choosing suitable cultivars and forcing techniques in combination with adequate geographical and environmental conditions, a continuous supply chain for premium fruit has been established. Between October and December, market demand is fulfilled by fruits from Liukuei District in Kaohsiung City. Fruits from Pintung area satisfied the winter/spring market, from November to May. The cool temperatures in high altitude areas (600-1000 m a.s.l.) of Chiayi and Nantou favor the production of high quality fruits for niche markets from June to September. In addition, quality fruits of cultivars with consistent good fruit coloring and low cracking rates can be produced, from March to May, in Pingtung and, between June and September, in central Taiwan. Innovative production technologies and progressive breeding programs further ensure the sustainability of year-round wax apple production in Taiwan.