Fukushima produce sold in Jakarta

August 29, 2014

Fukushima peaches and pears sold in Jakarta

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140829_40.html

Aug. 29, 2014 - Updated 11:36 UTC+2

High-quality peaches and pears from Japan's Fukushima Prefecture have gone on sale in Indonesia for the first time.

Indonesia is the 4th country to import agricultural produce from Fukushima following the 2011 nuclear accident.

Sales of the peaches and pears began at a high-end supermarket in Jakarta on Friday. They're part of a 520- kilogram shipment.

Officials and farm cooperatives from the prefecture asked customers to taste the fruit and appreciate its quality. One customer purchased 3 peaches that cost more than 13 dollars apiece.

An Indonesian woman who bought both types of fruit said they're fresh and delicious. She said she has eaten food from Fukushima abroad, and is not worried about its safety.

Fukushima fruit farmers have been hit hard by import restrictions in Hong Kong and Taiwan, previously key overseas markets. They now have high hopes in Indonesia due to its economic growth.

Prefectural official Jinko Kokubo said Fukushima's peaches and pears are the best in the world, and that she wants many countries to have the pleasure of eating them.