For Immediate Release: March 30, 2006
DBEDT Release News 06-12

Honolulu--Hawaii businesses are poised to make important inroads into Taiwan's upscale supermarkets as a result of cooperative efforts with the state to expand trade opportunities in Asia. Six Hawaii companies recently sold 26 products to Jason's Jason's, a leading Taiwan supermarket chain, and the chain is seeking additional companies to participate in an upcoming promotion.

The sales resulted from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's (DBEDT) efforts to encourage Hawaii firms to participate in "The Hawaii Experience in Taipei" from April 26 to May 1, 2006. The "Experience" will take place at "Gourmet Taipei", a major food and beverage trade show; the Grand Hyatt Taipei which will feature cooking demonstrations by chefs D. K. Kodama of the Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Hiroshi Fukui of Hiroshi's Eurasion Tapas; and Jason's Market Place, a high-end supermarket.

"This is an exceptional opportunity for Hawaii businesses to enter the Taiwan market, with the possibility of moving on to Hong Kong and Mainland China," said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu.

Hong Kong-based Diary Farm International, which owns 168 stores in Taiwan, is planning a July, 2006 promotion that will showcase American products at Jason's. Jason's, which has three locations-two in Taipei and one in Kaohsiung-features imported products with a health and wellness focus, appealing to Taiwan's young, affluent, well-traveled and better-educated population.

The six Hawaii companies and their products are:

• Hamakua Macadamia Nuts (macadamia nuts, cookies)
• Made in Hawaii Foods (jams)
• Oils of Aloha (cooking oils and skin care products)
• Arturo's Hot Flavors of Hawaii (hot sauces)
• Kauai Kookie Company (cookies)
• Kona Bluewater Farms (Kona Kampachi/amberjack)

Steve Geimer, the General Manager of Arturo's, submitted samples to Jason's buyers in February. "We were thrilled that they wanted to buy our sauces. This is our first step into Asia, and we're expecting that with Taiwan, and maybe Hong Kong, we'll see a substantial increase in sales," he said.

Taiwan, with approximately 23 million people, has one of the highest standards of living in Asia, making it an ideal market for Hawaii's high quality products. Dairy International estimates that the island has a capacity for ten Jason's.

Companies wishing to attend "The Hawaii Experience in Taipei" or participate in the American promotion should call DBEDT's Alex Ho at 587-2760. The only expense is the cost of air freighting samples and literature to Jason's in Taipei. The deadline for submission is April 7.

For more information, contact:
Dave Young
Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov