Asia shoppers snap up Taiwan pineapples in defiance of China ban

Consumers across Asia are snapping up Taiwanese pineapples in an act of political solidarity after China banned imports of the fruit from the island earlier this month. In Japan, social media users shared photos showing supermarket shelves stripped clean of Taiwanese pineapples as well as recipes and advice on where to find the coveted fruit. Wholesalers in Hong Kong say they have also seen an up-tick from people wanting to show their backing for Taiwan. Fruit lovers across the Asia Pacific region appear to be heeding the island’s call for support since China imposed the ban, a move Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen described as an “ambush.” Beijing cited the discovery of pests in shipments as the reason for the ban. “There are more customers asking for Taiwanese pineapples, saying it’s to show their support,” said Sau Fan, who works at the Fai Chai Kei fruits wholesale company in Hong Kong’s Yau Ma Tei neighborhood. Japan and Australia placed large orders for pineapples last week, ...