Freedom pineapples

Freedom pineapples (Chinese: 自由鳳梨; pinyin: Zìyóu fènglí) was a political and social response in 2021 to a Chinese ban on the import of pineapples from Taiwan. It encouraged domestic and international consumption to replace the loss of the mainland Chinese market, which had formerly imported 97% of all Taiwanese pineapple exports.^[1] It did not fully shield Taiwan from the economic consequences. In 2021, Taiwanese pineapple exports dropped to 55% of their 2019 levels.^[2]

Freedom pineapples
Traditional Chinese	自由鳳梨
Simplified Chinese	自由凤梨
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zìyóu fènglí
Alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	自由菠蘿
Simplified Chinese	自由菠萝
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zìyóu bōluó

Background

See also: Wolf warrior diplomacy

 

Lai Ching-te and Huang Wei-cher showing support for pineapple farmers in Tainan on 28 February 2021.

In March 2021, following months of threats, the Chinese government banned the import of pineapples from Taiwan, citing biosecurity concerns.^[3] PRC customs agents stated that they had found harmful pests in then-recent fruit shipments.^[4] At the time, over 90% of Taiwanese pineapple exports went to the mainland Chinese market.^[5]

The Chinese government's statement was questioned and denied by the Taiwanese government. In response to the ban, the Taiwanese government asked its citizens and diplomatic allies to increase their consumption of Taiwanese pineapples, and promised financial assistance to any farmers who saw losses as a result of the ban.^[4] The Freedom Pineapple campaign was launched by ROC Foreign Minister Joseph Wu on Twitter.^[6]

Response

As a result of the ban, Taiwanese pineapples became a political symbol both at home and in the region.^[7] The term “Freedom pineapples” was coined as a play on freedom fries.^[3]

Taiwan

 

President Tsai Ing-wen showing support for pineapple farmers in Kaohsiung on 28 February 2021.

As an initiative to support Taiwanese pineapple farmers, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen launched a social media campaign called "Eat Taiwan's pineapples until you burst," which encouraged citizens to increase their consumption of local pineapples. Restaurants went to great lengths to incorporate pineapple into dishes such as beef noodle soup.^[7]

Since the import ban followed PRC Premier Li Keqiang's assurance that mainland China was seeking to promote peaceful relations with Taiwan, the mixed messaging soon inflamed Taiwanese public opinion against mainland China.^[8] The situation has resulted in a consolidation of Taiwanese identity across the political spectrum.^[9] The main opposition party Kuomintang (KMT) also encouraged people to eat more local pineapple.^[10]

Taiwanese firms placed large additional orders for local pineapples.^[11] Taiwanese farmers have begun diverting non-pineapple exports from mainland China to other markets due to worries that their product could be next.^[12]

Japan, Australia and USA

 

In Japan, Taiwanese pineapples sold out despite being sold at a significant premium to regular pineapples.

The event received heavy coverage in Japan,^[13] with supermarkets selling out of pineapples and large orders being placed.^[14][15] A foodie music group in Japan released a music video about the situation. Sales also increased in Hong Kong, which was not subject to the PRC's import ban.^[16] The freedom pineapple campaign has also received support in Australia, with parallels being drawn to Chinese tariff increases on Australian wine.^[12][17]

The “Freedom Pineapples” initiative received support from the American Institute in Taiwan and the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, the de facto embassies of allies such as Canada and the United States with the Canadians referencing the Canadian invention pineapple pizza.^[18]

In April 2021 former American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted a picture of himself eating dried Taiwanese pineapple while playing chess, using the hashtag #FreedomPineapple.^[19]

Aftermath

In 2021, Taiwanese pineapple exports decreased to 28 million metric tons, down to 55% of the 2019 peak of 51 million metric tons.^[2] Further blocks on Taiwanese fruit imports to mainland China followed. In 2023, mango imports were restricted following Chinese allegations that mealybugs had been found on imported fruit.^[20]

See also

• Pineapple production in Taiwan
• Freedom fries
• Yun Hai
• Kherson watermelon

References

1. "The Sugar-Coated Poison of Chinese Market: How Will Taiwanese Pineapples Fight Against Their Fate?". Taiwangazette.org. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
2. "Fresh Pineapple export company and exporters in Taiwan". Tridge. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
3. Aspinwall, Nick. "Taiwan Promotes 'Freedom Pineapples' in Response to Chinese Import Ban". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
4. Davidson, Helen (2 March 2021). "Taiwanese urged to eat 'freedom pineapples' after China import ban". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
5. "China ban sours Taiwan's 'freedom pineapple' harvest". The Australian. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
6. Cheng, Ching-Tse (27 February 2021). "Taiwan minister launches 'Freedom Pineapple' campaign on Twitter". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
7. Wu, Huizhong. "Taiwan bursts with creative pineapple dishes after China ban". apnews.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
8. Chung, Lawrence (14 March 2021). "'If they want peaceful exchanges, they shouldn't have banned our pineapples': Taiwanese sceptical about Chinese premier's 'olive branch'". www.scmp.com. South China Morning Post. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
9. Hioe, Brian (3 March 2021). "Freedom Pineapple campaign illustrates identity consolidation in response to chinese bullying". newbloommag.net. New Bloom Magazine. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
10. Hsiao, Sherry (2 March 2021). "KMT to push pineapple sales: Johnny Chiang". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
11. Cheng, Ching-Tse (28 February 2021). "Major Taiwan corporations order 6,600 tons of local pineapples". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
12. Strong, Matthew (17 March 2021). "Eastern Taiwan county exports pineapple custard apples to Dubai instead of China". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
13. Cheng, Ching-Tse (11 March 2021). "Taiwanese pineapples getting extensive media coverage in Japan". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
14. Feng, John (2 March 2021). "Taiwan and Allies Rally to Defy China's Economic Coercion on Pineapples". www.newsweek.com. Newsweek. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
15. "Chinese ban on Taiwanese pineapples boosts sales in Japan". mainichi.jp. The Mainichi. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
16. Charlier, Phillip (14 March 2021). "Japanese foodie music group releases song promoting Taiwan pineapples following China import ban". taiwanenglishnews.com. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
17. Lee, Tania; Hsu, Jennis. "Diplomatic sweetener: Will Taiwan's 'freedom pineapples' become popular in Australia?". SBS. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
18. "U.S., Canada hail Taiwan's 'freedom pineapples' after Chinese ban". www.reuters.com. Reuters. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
19. Tzu-ti, Huang (12 April 2021). "Former US secretary of state likely to visit Taiwan this year". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
20. "China Stops Importing Taiwan's Mangoes, Blaming Pests Amid Political Tensions". time.com. Time. Retrieved 21 August 2023.