TAIPEI, January 25, 2010:  Taiwan's orchid exports last year surged 20 per cent to 62.6 million US dollars on increased orders from countries coming out of the global recession, the Council of Agriculture said on Thursday January 21, 2010.
The United States remained the top export market, buying 27 million US dollars of Taiwan orchids, up 32 per cent from 2008. It was followed by Japan, which imported 16 million US dollars of orchid from Taiwan, up 17 per cent. For 2010, the Council of Agriculture said it hopes to maintain the 20% growth in orchid exports. Most of Taiwan's exported orchids - 70 to 80% - are Phalaenopsis, or moth orchids, the most colorful among orchid species. Taiwan used to be the world leader in the export of moth orchids, but in recent years, European nations, especially the Netherlands, have surpassed Taiwan as they have begun growing the flowers in greenhouses on a large scale.