TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan International Orchid Show opened on Saturday and will run through March 23 at the Taiwan Orchid Technology Park in the city's Houbi District.
The Tainan City Government said the opening day of the event, coinciding with International Women's Day, offered free admission for women. It estimated that nearly 45,000 people attended the first day, about three times the number from last year, per CNA.
On the opening day, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) was joined by 17 representatives from 10 countries, including Chile, Canada, Austria, Singapore, and Japan. AIT Kaohsiung Branch Office Director Neil Gibson (張子霖) also visited the event with his family on Sunday.
The venue also hosts the Asia Pacific Orchid Conference, which returns to Taiwan after 20 years under the theme “Next 20.” The event includes exhibitors from 34 countries and features five pavilions, including flower arrangements, competitions, business activities, and a marketplace.
The city government also organized 50 forums during the event, covering topics such as orchid breeding, cultivation, research, and sustainable development. Officials expect the event to enhance global orchid trade and foster technological exchange.
Tainan is an important hub for Taiwan's orchid industry, the city government said. The event showcases the city's orchid cultivation techniques and highlights achievements in promoting smart agriculture.
Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) said the Taiwan Orchid Technology Park produces half of the nation's moth orchids. He added that Taiwan’s moth orchids hold around one-third of the global market share.
According to the Agriculture and Food Agency, Taiwan's orchid cultivation area reached about 955 hectares last year, with moth orchids covering 260 hectares and dancing-doll orchids covering 248 hectares. The total annual production value was NT$6.4 billion (US$213.33 million), with exports generating NT$6.1 billion.
Last year's event attracted 300,000 visitors. Huang hopes to reach 350,000 visitors this year.
