The American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representation Office in the United States signed and exchanged letters on behalf of the United States and Taiwan, inaugurating the new organic equivalency agreement, effective as of May 30 2020, which allows certified organic products in the United States or Taiwan to be sold as organic in either of those two markets.

The agreement covers products certified in the US according to the organic regulations of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) or organic regulations of Taiwan, and that are grown or produced in the United States or Taiwan; or that have their final processing or packaging in the United States or Taiwan.

"This equivalency agreement simplifies trade in certified organic products with Taiwan, a key international partner in the organic market sector," said Under Secretary Greg Ibach. "This agreement protects and increases access for US farmers, ranchers and organic companies to the fifth-largest organic export market in the US."

Eliminates the need for organic operators to have organic certification for the US and another for Taiwan, thereby avoiding a double set of fees, inspections and paperwork.

Equivalence paves the way for the expansion of the existing trade in fresh fruits, vegetables, and processed foods, and provides new market access opportunities for organic livestock and other products. The agreement also allows US-based organic food processors to source certified organic ingredients from Taiwan, increasing the range of organic products available to consumers.

Taiwan is the fifth largest export market for organic products for the US, with sales close to US $ 92 million in 2019 and is expected to grow by almost 50 percent in the next five years, according to analysis by the Association of Organic Trade and the USDA. The expansion of the AIT / TECRO trade agreement provides US organic farmers and processors with continued access to this important market.

Finally, it is highlighted that the United States currently has organic equivalence agreements with Canada, the European Union, Japan, Korea and Switzerland.